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BOSTON SCHOOL EDITION. 



THE 



COURSE OF TIME, 



A POEM. 



BY ROBERT POLLOK, A. M. 



ENLARGED INDEX, A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR, AD 

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE, AND AN ANALYSIS 

PREFIXED TO EACH BOOK. 



REVISED EDITION. 



BOSTON : 
BENJAMIN B. MUSSEY 



1843. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by 

Warner Bullard, 
In tne Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetta 






INDEX. 



Actions dene, never recalled, 129 

Adam, in Eden, 61 

Advocate, the failhtess, 169 j 221 

Age, old, childish, 263 

Agency, free and responsible, 65 

Albion's Isle, 106 

Ambition, ..165, 166 

Amusements, innocent, 140 

, criminal, 168, 169 

Angels, separating righteous and wicked, 255 

, rebel, 280 

Aniniels, brute. In Millennium, 157 

Anthem, of Praise in Heaven, 177 

Antiquary, 211 

Apostasy, 51 

Apostrophe to Earth, 162 

Trees and Flowers, 192 

Ocean, 198 

Death, 201 

Bigotry, 213 

Religion, 235 

Assembly for Judgment, 208 

Atonement, 53 

Author, supposed allusioQ to, .97 



IV INDEX. 

Babylon, fall of mystical, IS**- 

Bard of Earth, 41 

, visit of the two sons of Paradise to, 42, 63 

Battle, field of, 263 

, in Hamonah's vale, 153 

Beggar, 119 

Bible, its divinity and doctrines, 66 — 58 

-, reception of, by men, 69, 60 

, condition of those destitute of, 61 

Bigotry, 213 

Bliss, the poet's, in lonely reverie, 139 

Book of God's Remembrance, 279 

Books of Time, 113 

Bow, appearing at Judgment, 2o5 

Byron, description of, 122 

Caravan, 1 95 

Catholic and Mussulman, at the Judgment, 216 

Causes of Irreligion, 66 

Certainty, affecting joy and grief at Judgment, 252 

Character of man, 57 

Charity, praises of, 245 

Childhood, its joys and sports, 133, 134 

Christ, his Incarnation and Death, 52, 63 

, appearing as Judge, 279 

Christian, his contest, 109, 110 

Church in Weeds, 151 

Cloud, of Indignation over ruined men and angels, 257, 258 

Counsellor, the faithful, 244 

Creation of earth, • ^9 

man, ^ 

Critics, 229 

Crown, of Light over the saints, 257 



INDEX. ♦ 

Daughters of Beauty, • • 163 

Dead raised, 187—190 

Death, apostrophe to, 201 

— , phantoms in den of, 203 

, angel of, 194 

, the Second, 39 5 281 

— , despoiled of all his victims, 202 

Death-bed views of tilings, 100 

Destiny of man concluded, 274 

Disappointment, 9G 

Distinctions, levelled at the Resurrection, 190 

, in the assembly for Judgment, . .198 

Distribution of v^'orldly goods, 1 17 

intellect, 120 

Dreams 144 

Duellist, 222 

Duty, source of happiness, 132 

Earth, signs presaging destruction of, 170 

, burnt at Judgment, 283 

— — , renewed, 284 

, visited by its former inhabitants, 49 

Earthly Bliss imperfect, 130 

Eden, 50; 157 

Employment in Heaven, active, 177 

Envy, 228 

,subjcctof, in Ilell, 229 

Epicure, 216 

Eternity, science of, 67 

, no change in, 252 

Eve in Eden, 51 

^'Ixcellence, in what placed, 121 

1* 



VJ INDEX. 

Fair one, vairi; 86 

, ruined, 220 

Faith, character and effects of, 230, 231 

Falsehood, man of, 222 

Fame, 83—87 

, votary of, at Resurrection, 210 

Fancy, active in sleep, 144 

Fashion, woman of, 218 

Fear, not marrying Pleasure, 79 

Fisherman, 200 

Folly's Chase, 78 

Freeman, who is the true, 108 

Friendship, 137 

Gabriel, leading the angels, 256 

God, no Respecter of persons, 253 

— — , addressing the worlds at Judgment, 274 

, addressing the Son, 277 

, his praise celebrated in Heaven, 177 

, his Spirit invoked by the Poet, 269 

— — , his Book of remembrance, 280 

Gog, with enemies of saints, 195 

Gold, pursuit of. 79 

Good name, 224 

Grief, 145 

Gnomon of Time, 173 

Greece and Rome, state of rights in, 107 

Hamonah, vale of, 195 

Happiness, desire of, 74 

• , sought in trifles, ., 87 

— — , how only found, 75 ; 132 



INDEX. vii 

Happiness, feeling-s of the finder, 78 

Harlot, 82 

Heart, the Christian, 109 

Heaven, pursuits in, 174 — 180 

, hymn of praise in, 177 

— , poets in, 250 

Hell described, 37 

, occupants of, 257, 258 ; 280 

, duration of, 282 

Hermit, 190 

Hero 167 

Hill of God, 117, 173 

Hills of Scotia, 142 

Holiness, tree of, 75 

Honor, false, 222 

Human heart, its moral state, 67 

, its singular phenomena, 109, 1 10 

Human Nature, two opposite principles, 165 

Hypocrite, 223 

Idolatry, 61 

Incarnate Son of God, at Judgment, 279 

Inquisition, 214 

Intellect, how distributed, 120 

, pleasure in exercising, 139 

Invocation, 33 

Isaiah, 1 77 

Joy in Grief, 14.^ 

Joys of Time 130 

— — , Christian's, 149 

in Heaven, 177 

Jubilee of Earth, 158 



nu INDEX. 

Judge, dishonest, 221 

Jiidgment, Day of, 270 

, other worlds summoned to, 273 

Justice, Sword of, 278} 281 

King, virtuous, ^ 243 

, wicked, 62 

King-dom, mediatorial, resigned 286 

Knowledge, not sure to render happy, 121 

• in eternity, 177} 253 

Lake of fire, 39 

Liberty, love of, 105 

, true, 108 

l^iving changed, 187 

Localities, happiness has no, 132 

Lord, a rich noble, US 

Love, sustaining principle of the Universe, 134 

■^— , divine, to man, 53 

, maternal 133 

, youthful, 135 

Lunatic, 219 

Man of tithes, 209 

fame 210 

fashion 217 

benevolence, 245 

•^— curious research 211 



envy, 



Man, his original character, 50 

, his fall, 51 

—^, his ingratitude, and its just consequences,.... 54, 55 
Magi c , 172 



INDEX. 13f 

Maniac, 264 

Medicine of the mind, 115 

Me Hing of friends, 137 

lovers, 135 

Memory, joys of, 143 

Merchant, 200 

Mercy, angel of, 266 

of God, how treated by men, 275 

Merit of obedience, 55, 56 

Michael summoning worlds to the Judgment, 273 

31illennium, state of world in, 153 — 158 

, state of world after, 164—170 

Minister, ungodly, 226,227 

, faithful, 238—241 

Mirror of Truth, 73 

Miser, 80 

Missionaries, 196 

Morn of Life, 133 

Last Day, 183 

Mortal Life, whether it has most of bliss or woe, 131 

Mother, viewing her offspring, 133 

— ,lhe dying, 147 

Mummy, 190 

Muse, her inspiration discarded, , 33 

Musing, solitary, 138 

Mysteries in religion, 116 

Nature, her various works and scenery, 140, 141 

■ , her simple wants, 131 

— — , lament at her dissolution, 164 

— — , appearance of, at Resurrection, 186 

, at the Judgment, 280 

— — — , lessons taught by, 90 



Z INDEX. 

Navig'ator, In polar seas, 195 

New arrived, (the Spirit) 35 5 36 ; 43 } 61 j 54 ; 180 } 220 

Noble, a rich, il8 

Nothing', regions of, 37 

Novels, 114 

Obscure believers, 251, 252 

Ocean, apostrophe to, 198 

, yielding its dead, 199 

Offer of life, free, 64-, 277 

Omens of earth's dissolution, 170 

— — , effects on men, 171 

, in heaven,... 172 

One, the Holy, o3 

, the Three in, 116 

Orator, frothy, 165 

Organ of Eternity, 163 

Paradise, plains of, 35 

■, tvi^o sons of, 34 

Persecution, 213 

Piety, increasing happiness, 148 

, apostrophe to, 235 

Philosopher, the true, 241 

Philosophy searching for happiness, 74 

Pleasure, her forms and haunts, 80—83 

Poet, at the Resurrection, 247 

, the True, 249 

Poetry and Philosophy, 248 

Poverty, 119 

Power, Lust of, 105 

Prayer of the Author, 269 

Pride. 68 



IKDEX. XI 

Priest, ungodly, 64 

■-, at the Resurrection, 226 

Prison-house in Millennium, 155 

Prophecy fulfilled, 152} 254 

Punishment of wicked remediless, 282 

Quotation from Thomson, 83 

Cowper, 108 

Milton, 163} 248 

■ Shakspeare, 191 

Roman Legions, .194 

Rulers, wicked, 62 

, righteous, 244 

Rumor, 225 

Rustic, the ignorant, 85} 120 

Reason baffled, , 115, 116 

Reasoner, the famous, 211 

Rebellion against God, causes of, 66 — 69 

Recluse, 212 

Redeeming Love, praised by the Bard, 52} 112 

■ New-£^rrived, 53 

Redemption, how effected, 53 

— — , actual extent, 54 

Remorse, 96 

Reprobate, misery of the, 263, 264 

Reputation, value of, 224 

Rest, 144 

Resurrection, morn of, 1*83 

, changes at, 187 

Righteous, or sinner, which has most of the joys of life, 149 
, the reward of, 284 



Xll Ix\DEX. 

Sabbalii of all the earth, * 150 

Saclducee at Resurrection, 193 

Saints, harassed by Satan 260 

Salvation, free to all 55 

Salan, character, &c., 258 

Scene of Poem laUl, 34 

Scenery, Earth's 140 

of Britain 142 

the Author's native place, 142 

Sceptic, 88 J 216 

Scholar, the dull, 166 

Seduction, victim of, 220 

Senator, the honest. 214 

Sennacherib, 194 

Sentence, the final, 280 

Separations at the day of Judg-ment, 236 

Sights, pitiful, 263 

Sin, 61 

— , in league with Death 246 

— , contrasted with Virtue, 208 

Slander, 225 

Slave-dealing, 107 

, equal to master, in what sense, 254 

Sloth 165 

Solitude, walk in, 138 

, music in, 183 

, or Crowds, as conducive to happiness, 132 

Solitudes in Heaven, 139 

Sorrow, 220 

Story-telling tribe, 1 13 

Subject of Poem stated, 33 

Suicide, ..- 222 



INDEX. Xfii 

Sun and Stars addressed, 162 

Tempest, 263 

Tempter in Eden, 51 

Theatre 169 

Theologian, tlie bigoted, 213 

Throne, white, 279 

Time of the Poem, 34 

. end of, 186 

, snadow's o/. 73 

Tree of Holiness, how planted and nourished, 73, 76 

Trinity, 116 

Trump of God, ] 87 

Truth, mirror of, 73 

, believed and felt in Eternity, 254 

Tyranny and the Beast, prostrated, 150—153 

Unbelief, 230 

Union of Soul and Body at Resurrection, 190, 191 

Virtue, character of, 43 

, image of, in Hell, 44 ; 229 

, last ascent of, 35 

, before mirror of Truth, 73 

, perfect only in God HI 

Visions, a poet's, of things unutterable, 139 

Walk, lonely, pleasure of,.., 138 

Wall of Hell, 37 . 282 

Wicked, their sentence, 280 

Wickedness of Earth after Millennium, 173 

Widow, wasted with grief, I45 

Wife, the good, , , ^19 



XIV INDEX. 

Wisdom, her warnings, 90 

, how regarded, 91 

, defined by God and the world, 94 

— — — , increased in eternity, 253 

Woman of Fashion, 214 

Woridly goods, their value, 120 

Worm, undying, 38} 281 

Youth early cut off, 252 

Zion, regard to, in Millcnniimi, 155, 156 



MEMOIR 



The Rev. JRobert Pollok was born at Muirhouse, 
parish of Eagiesham, about eleven miles south-east from 
Glasgow, October 19, 171)8. He was the youngest son of a 
very worthy and intelligent farmer, who still resides in the 
same place. His early days were spent with his father in 
such occupations as the seasons and the situation demanded. 
His education was such as is common for ti>e children of that 
class of the people in Scotland to which his parents belonged. 
Being- always fond of reading, he devoted to it the winters' 
evenings, instead of wasting them in frivolous amuse- 
ments. , 

In his fourteenth year he was sent to the. village of Eagles- 
ham, to learn the business of a cartwright. But an elder 
brother, who was pursuing his studies for the ministry, it is 
said, advised him to abandon mechanical pursuits, and pre- 
pare for die same holy office. The plan was favored by his 
parents, and in 1813 he commenced the stuJy of the Latin 
language in a school in the parish of Fenwick. In October, 
1815, he was admitted to the University of Glasgow, 
where, having attended the classes five years, he received 
the degree of Master of Arts at the age of twenty-two. 
Here he was a diligent and exemplary student, stood very 
high in the estimation of his teachers, and obtained several 
prizes, which were awarded to him by his fellows. Before 
finishing his literary course, he suffered considerably from 



XVI MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 

impaired health ; but does not seem to have suspected that 
he was preparing to be a victim of intense application. 

In the autumn of 1822, he became a student of theology in 
the seminary of the United Secession Church, under the Rev. 
Dr. Dick, of Glasgow. He attended, also, the theological 
lectures of Dr. Macgill in the University. The discourses 
prepared by him,, according to the requirements of the 
Divinity Hall, attracted notice ; but were by some of his 
fellow-students severely criticised ; because it was impossi- 
ble for a genius like Pollok's to trammel itself by those rules 
of division and arrangement, which are of indispensable 
necessity to common minds, and which are generally impor- 
tant in a sermon, in order to aid the apprehension and the 
memory of the hearers. After the usual attendance at the 
Hall of five sessions, he was licensed to preach, at the same 
time with his brother, in May, 1827, by the United Associate 
Presbytery of Edinburgh. 

It was about this time that his Poem was published, in the 
preparation of which, he had been much engaged, it is 
said, during the two preceding years. 

His first public discourse was delivered at Rose Street 
Chapel, Edinburgh, of which the Rev. John Brown is minis- 
ter. It was on the afternoon of Thursday, the third of May, 
the day of humiliation and prayer, before the celebration of 
the communion. The text was, 1 Kings, xviii. 21. " How 
long halt ye between two opinions ? If the Lord be God fol- 
low him ; but if Baal, then follow him." The sermon is said 
to have been in some parts awfully grand, and to have pro- 
duced a most deep impression. " Many, we* doubt not, who 
heard him that day, will recollect the profound and eloquent 
discourse, which he delivered, in which there was a brilliant 
display of poetical imagery, combined with metaphysical 
acuteness and admirable reasoning ; and many, we doubt 
not, will recollect his feeble appearance, and the exhaustion 

* London Memoir. 



MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. XVll 

which was apparent ere he closed. Alas ! disease was 
then making- " rapid inroads on his constitution, and his 
public ministrations were soon to end forever." Such was 
the fatigue occasioned by this single exertion, that he was 
immediately confined to his bed ; and, although in a few days 
he was partially restored, he preached afterwards only three 
times. 

It was soon manifest to all but himself that an insidious 
consumption had been preying upon his constitution. " In 
the summer he removed from Edinburgh to Slateford, a most 
romantic village in the parish of St. Cuthbert's, delightfully 
situated on the rivulet called the Water of Leith, about three 
miles from the city. There, in the family of the Rev. Dr. 
Belfrage, minister of the United Congregation of Slateford, 
he was received with the utmost affection and respect. 
The salubrity of the air, and particular attention to diet, it 
was fondl}' anticipated, would restore him to vigor, especially 
as he had youth and the advantage of the season in his 
favor. The well known medical reputation of Dr. Belfrage, 
too, was fortunate for him in this delightful retirement. 
Finding, however, that his health was not returning, he was, 
during the summer, induced to take an easy tour to Aber- 
deen, in the hope that change of air and scene might recruit 
his exhausted frame. But the expectations of his friends 
were disappointed. He returned, and it was evident that 
disease was quickly hastening him to the grave." 

The treatment which he received at this time shows iu 
what estimation he was held by those who knew him. " Dur- 
ing Mr. Pollok's residence at Slateford, he experienced the 
utmost kindness and attention from a gentleman of the most 
distinguished reputation in the metropolis, Dr. Abercromby. 
This gentleman frequently visited I.im, and tendered his 
medical advice with his friendly conversation. Many others 
in the metropolis, both laity and clergy of various denomi- 
nations, also e\-inced their respect for him by their solici- 
9* 



XVm MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 

tations. Among the former, llie Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair, 
who, at a public dinner, expressed his opinion of the 
'Course of Time,' and the family of Dr. Monro of the 
University of Edinburgh, ought not to be forgotten." " His 
friends and fellow-students in Edinburgh also frequently 
visited him, and cheered him by their conversations on 
former days." " Of the kindness of Dr. Belfrage, Mr. 
Pollok always spoke with the most grateful enthusiasm. 
Durmg his residence at Slateford, that gentleman acted 
toward him as a father and a friend. Every thing which 
was thought conducive to his comfort was at his command." 
But the assiduities of friends were unavailing. '' The 
summer hastened on, and ftlr. Pollok was still the subject of 
disease. It was now thought necessary that a change of 
climate should be tried, and it was anticipated that the 
salubrious air of Italy might restore him to health. The 
city of Pisa, in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, was the place 
selected for his residence. To a mind like his, deeply 
stored with classical learning, and capable of appreciating 
tlie scenes of that delightful country, such a residence must 
nave possessed the highest interest." Having made suitable 
preparations, and procured letters to learned men on the Conti- 
nent, he left Scotland in the month of h ugTist, accompanied by 
/js sister. "He proceeded by sea to England, and went first 
to Plymouth ; but the state of his health rendered it. impossible 
foi- him to go forward, and only the hope remained that if 
spared till the next summer, he would perhaps be enabled to 
complete his journey. He therefore took up his residence 
near Southampton, at Devonshire Place, Shirley Common." 
Soon, however, all hopes failed, and he wrote to his brother 
in Scotland respecting his situation, and observed to his 
sister, that he should not have left his home had he been 
aware of the state of his disease. Having lingered a few 
days, he expired on the 18th of September, 1827 j and 
oefore his brother arrived, his remains were deposited in the 



MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. Xix 

grave. His death was that of the true Christian, character- 
ized by a calm faith in the leligion he had preached, and a 
cheerful hope in that redeiiiption, which had been the theme 
of his song. 

The character of one thus cut cfl' in the very moment, 
in which he was bursting from obscurity into the full glory 
that now rests upon his memory, it may be difficult to 
dehneate. " His friends, public and private, can bear testi- 
mony to his many virtues. His excellence lay not in osten- 
tation, but in the quiet and unobtrusive feelings of the heart. 
His disposition was generous, his heart, feeling and benev- 
olent ; and he loved his friends with that affection which is 
cherished onl}' by a noble mind." " In his intercourse with 
his friends and familiar acquaintance,* he was cheerful and 
light-hearted ; and this disposition he retained till disease had 
altogether disorganized his nervous system. But, like most 
men of studious habits, he wore an air of distance and re- 
serve, when in the company cf strangers." ^' His religion 
was that of the heart ; he was pious, devout, humble, free 
from the conceits of a fancied perfection, and the impulses of 
a heated enthusiasm. His mind was cast in too noble a 
mould to be impressed by the petty distinctions and animos- 
ities of sectarian prejudice, and his integrity rose superior to 
the hollow and superficial affectation of a spurious liberality." 

" His habits t were those of a close student j his reading 
was extensive 5 he could converse on almost every subject j 
and had great facility in composition. His college acquaint- 
ances could perceive that his mind was not wholly devoted 
to the business of the classes ; he was constantly writing or 
reading on other subjects. It was his custom to commit to the 
flames, every now and then, a great number of papers. Be- 
sides the regular exercises, he composed a number for his own 

* Magazine of Ref. D. Church, 
t Christian Review 



XX MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 

pleasure and improvement, and several of these 
poetical." 

" Literary industry and solitary musing were not deemed 
the most important avocations in his father's house ; and in- 
trusions on his meditations at home often induced him to go 
elsewhere to muse. On these occasions, he often retreated 
to a neighboring- farm, where a. beautiful clump of fir-trees 
relieved the nakedness of a spot naturally uninviting. There, 
seated under the fairest of these, he composed a con- 
siderable part of his Poem. At a little distance in front, 
though entirely out of sight, a crystal stream of water gushed 
from a water-spout into a pleasant well, and thence pursued 
its course without a murmur through the low-lying meadows. 
The simple music of this little waterfall, mingled at times 
with the voice of the wind, as it rose or fell among the 
branches of the fir-trees, awakened emotions, to which may be 
ascribed a portion of that enthusiasm, which infused ani- 
mation and wildness into his cherished melancholy. From 
this seclusion, he had a full view of the '.battlement of hills' 
formed by the lofty -Ben Lomond' and other mountains, 
stretching beyond Dumbarton. At the south-east end of his 
father's house stand the trees Avhich he celebrates in his 
verse. It is said that many a time he had been seen gazing 
upon them long and silently, and at length turning from iheni 
with an air of gladdened pensiveness, indicating the elevat- 
ed feelings, which, by some mysterious sympathy, they had 
exc4ted. 

" Mr. Pollok's mind was certainly of a very superior order ; 
of this, there need no other proof be given than the encomiums, 
which his 'Course of Time' has called forth — encomiums, 
many of them penned before his death was known, but which 
did not appear till after he had gone beyond the reach of 
earthly applause." 

This Poem, although of the four last books he is said to 
\zxe written nearly a thousand lines weekly, had long occu* 



MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. xxi 

pied his thoughts. The idea was conceived fourteen years 
before its publication, wlien he was a mere youth. " The 
reception it has met wiih from the public, is a sufficient testi- 
mony to the talents of its lamented author. His name is now 
recorded among ihe list of those illustrious Scotsmen, who 
have done honor to their country ; who, from obscuilty, have 
.secured for themselves an unfading reputation j and who will 
be remembered by distant generations with enthusiasm and 
admiration." 

Previously to the " Course of Time," three Sabbath School 
Tales, written by him while a student of divinity, were pub- 
lished anonymously, entitled, " Helen of the Glen," '■' Ralph 
Gemmell" and the ''Persecuted' Family." The two latter 
are considered as the better specimens of his genias 
" Ralph Gemmell" is properly a tale of the imagination ; 
'' The Persecuted Family" is a narrative, the different f\v\s 
of wliich Ere asserted by the Author to be severally tyue, 
although he does not pretend that they happened in the very 
same relation which he has given them. They both fe'ate to 
events most intensely interesting in the historj' of Scotland — ■ 
the sufi'eriogs of the Presbyterians in the seventeenth cei> 
tury. Pollok was a native of one of the districts whef'S the 
cruelties were practised, which here disgraced the niifi>ory 
of the persecutors, and caused the names of the pic-'-^s and 
patriotic victims to be handed down in traditionary -^tory ; 
and he seems to have formed a just conception of the ---larac- 
ter of the men who thus suffered wrong fof ConsciciiC*' sake, 
and to have cherished a most lively st'iise of \ht\l emi- 
nent worth. ''Every sigh," says he isi his Preface to the 
"Persecuted Family," "every sigh of our persetuied ances- 
tors is recorded in heaven ; every tear v/hich ihey ahed is 
preserved in the bottle of God. Why then should n'^t their 
memories be dear to us, for whom l^iey bled, aijd fof whom 
they died ? But it is not only that we m^y pay th^rn our 
debt of gratitude; that we ought to acquaint ourselves with 



jaii MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 

'J.eir lives ; it is that we may gather humility from their low- 
liness; faith from their trust in God; courage from their 
heaven-sustained fortitude ; warmth from tlie flame of their 
d-:;volion, and hope from their glorious success.'' 
• Another work he had projected, which it is a cause of 
sincere regret that he did not live to execute. It was a work 
requiring genius, learning, and piety in the author, and which 
could not be properly accomplished without extraordinary 
fidelity and patience. We think it, however, no small honor 
lo nim, both as a scholar and a Christian, that he had con- 
ceived the idea of " A Review of Literature in all ages, de- 
signed to show, that literature must stand or fall in proportion 
as it harmonizes with Scripture Revelation." 

We close our glance at the life, character, and works of 
Pollok, with the language of one, who " loved him while he 
lived," and to whose brief Memoir we have been so much 
indebted in preparing it : " He has gone the way of all the 
earth; and his spirit, we fondly hope, is among the 'spirits 
cf the just made perfect,' who, ' by faith and patience, are 
now inheriting the promises.' But he lives in the heans of 
his friends, who think of him with fond regret ; he lives in the 
hearts of his countrymen ; and his praise is not only in the 
church of which he was a liceaiiate, but in all the churches.' 



INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. 



The " Course of Time" was published u'^ar the time of 
the Author's death. It appeared before the public in a 
manner somewhat singular, without '' apology, proem, argu- 
ment, or table of contents," with no previous notice, no 
introduction, no dedication, nothing but its naked self, " A 
Poem in ten Books." It could not fail, however, to attract 
the attention of those, who knew how to estimate the preemi- 
nent worth of piety and genius combined. The enthusiastic 
approbation of the English Eclectic Review first awakened 
interest respecting it in this country, and prepared the way 
for its eager reception. 

What the decision of the professed literary critics will be 
is yet uncertain. No one of the brotherhood has condescend- 
ed to utter his oracle, and we will not predict whether any 
one will do it. But it will not surprise us, if this Poem shall 
be assailed with a storm of severest criticism.* 

For, in the first place, it has many faults. He who chooses 
may put his finger with a complacent sneer upon bad con- 
ceptions, bad figures, bad verse, bad syntax. He can cheer 
his eye with spots, where he may venture to write " frigid," 

* Since this was written, the " Course of Time" has been 
violently censured in some of the publications of the cay. I-t it 
has been reviewed more fully in the Spirit of the Pilgrims, Southern 
f^uarterly, and PFestern Review, by each of which its high merit 
!■ ackoowledged. 



XXIV INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. 

''prosaic." There are pages on which, if he has a pencil 
for such service, he may draw dark lines for defects and 
blemishes. The whole Poem gives proof, that the author 
sccu-cely devoted a moment, if he had opportunity, to the 
duty or drudgery of revision. Every thing dropped from 
his pen just as it burst on his thought, and is printed just as 
it was first penned. You have the exact strain poured forth 
under the original impulses of his inspii^ation, as he took the 
harp, and '■' rolled its numbers down the tide of Time." 

In Ihc next place, the fiction of the Poem is exceedingly 
simple, and perhaps will not comport with the received idea 
of an Epic. The whole story may be given in a sentence. — 
Many ages after the end of our world, a Spirit from one of 
the numerous worlds existing in space, on his flight towards 
Heaven, discovers the abode of lost men in Hell ; reaching 
Heaven, he inquires of Two Spirits, who welcome his arrival 
there, what is the meaning of the wretchedness he ha^ just 
witnessed} the Two, unable fully to answer, conduct the 
inquirer to a Bard who once lived on Earth, and he, in an- 
swering their inquiries, relates the history of man from the 
Creation to the Judgment. — Now here is no labyrinth of 
incident, no plot, no hero, no struggle against fated will of 
gods or wrath of men. And devoted admirers of classical 
rules may complain of this, and censure Pollok as having no 
conception of the genuine epic 5 especially as they may appeal 
to so illustrious an example as Milton to sanction their views 
of what is essential to epic composition. But we beg leave to 
say, that we consider Milton's adherence to pagan models, 
and imitation of heathen fictions, as an actual, and very un- 
fortunate blemish in his exquisite poem ; and most deeply is 
it to be regretted, that, to every reader of Paradise Lost, 
Satan appears to such a degree the Hero of the story, and is 
so exhibited, that the character of High Archangel ruined," 
\ "^aring still " excess of glory obscured," has too much power 
Uj. rP^ ihe sympathy euid the admiration, and to keep out of 



INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. XXV 

sig-ht the character of Arch-fiend, foe of God and man. It 
is one of the points on which the ' Course of Time' preemi- 
nently deserves approbation, that it rises so fearlessly above 
the old artificial prescriptions for making up a poem ; that it 
does not stoop to gather fictions, which, to put them at the 
best, are frivolous and useless ; that, to secure interest and 
effect, it has not borrowed the miserable machinery of the 
stage, but rested wholly upon the intrinsic, incommunicable 
power of momentous reality. And if it be not shaped, in 
" beginning, middle, and end," exactly according to the laws 
of Aristotle's or Horace's Art of Poetry, we do not think it a 
deed of trespass unpardonable. Yet, we apprehend, others 
may. 

There is a still more important reason for apprehending 
that the ' Course of Time' will by many be condemned, or, 
at least, much undervalued. The poetry is in the purest 
and highest sense religious. Its selectest topics are sacred. 
Its beauty, its sublimity, its pathos, is the peculiar beauty, 
and sublimity, and pathos felt by pious minds. The inspira- 
tion of genius blazes and burns along the lines 3 but it is not 
an inspiration kindled chielly by philosophy, or taste, or clas- 
sic study, or mere poetic observation of nature; it is the holy 
rapture which glows in the bosom of him, who has an eye of 
Faith, and a heart new stamped with the image of the Eternal 
Excellence. While, therefore, the poetry has a thrilling 
charm in its spirit, which bears up to the very throne of God 
every soul in which it strikes a responsive chord, and commu- 
nicates to such a taste of joys feebly imaged by the crystal 
water and fruited tree of life, there is a class of readers, we 
fear not small, who cherish none of the sympathies, with 
which its choicest notes are in unison. There is in the Poem 
much of that, which will necessarily waken, in every cultivated 
mind, high and delightful emotions of taste. But its principal 
value lies not in this. Its greatest merit, its crowning excel- 
lence consists in its exhibitiiio- in )h» author, and addressings 



Jtxvi INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. 

in the reader, with such mexpressible felicity the pecuhaf 
emotions of those, who can sing' of Redeeming Love. And 
to judge properly of such poetry, no matter what other 
characteristics it may possess, requires a tuning of soul never 
enjoyed, probably never desired, possibly never thought of, 
and most certainly never justly conceived, by many who sit 
in the seat of the learned, and wield the pen of the critic, and 
count it fitting that they should guide the public in matters of 
literature. 

Finally, we are not without expectation that the conscience- 
riving gleam and flash of truth, which bursts so often and 
vividly from the verse of Pollok, will arouse the hostility' of 
hearts not subject to the law of God, There is not merely 
the glowing of a seraphic fervor, that rises altogether above 
the experience and the s^Tnpathies of the unsanctified spirit ; 
there is not merely a beauty and a glory, which lie hid from 
the discernmeut of the natural man ; but there is also a lucid, 
bold, cogent, resistless demonstration of revealed truth; we 
do not mean argumentative, which too often only " plays 
round the head," and " comes not near the heart," but what 
is better, poetical demonstration ; a full, bright, vivacious 
showing of it in something of its native colorings and native 
power to take hold of men's feelings. Here is the Genius of 
Poetry wielding the Sword of the Spirit. The author deals 
not in dreamy fable, ingenious theory, vapid sentiment, or 
fanciful description; he echoes the simple, sublime, holy, 
penetrating truth of the Eternal Word. He pours from his 
harp the streams of Heaven's burning logic. They may not 
carry conviction to the biased understanding, but must often 
roll a scorching fire in upon the guilty conscience. We shall 
not think it strange, if such poetry be spoken against. 

But whether this Poem shall be left uncensured to its glory, 
or encounter high attempts to obscure its worth, it will live. 
It is not an ephemera. It has in it the seeds of immortality. It 
Is neither secondary nor primary shining with borrowed lustre. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. xxvii 

It is a Sun. Spots we see upon it; but it is a sun; a fountain 
rich of holy, poetic light, whence " other stars may fill their 
golden urns." The name of the Author will hereafter be as- 
sociated with those of the noblest bards of England; even 
cold and careless readers will often mention it together with 
Cowper and Milton ; and there will seldom be wanting those 
who will decidedly prefer the poetry of Pollok, " uttering as 
'tis, the essential truth." 

One ground of our prediction is, as just stated, the Inherent 
excellence of the work as a mere efiusion of poetical talent, 
It has a reach and grasp, a fearless independence, an original, 
enchaining power of thought, possessed only by gifted minds. 
It is studded with pearls not to be gathered in common depths, 
nor borne from their recesses by common hands. Its very 
faults indicate the locality of genius ; they are the baser sub- 
stances, which enter into the precious ore. 

The interest of the subject, also, is permanent. The 
Author sings the Destiny of Man. The theme is invested, 
not only with all the sublimities of Eternity, but also with all 
the personalities of individual Retribution, It addresses not 
the sympathies of a hero, or a patriot, or a lover of nature, as 
such ; of European or American, bond or free, cultivated or 
rude. These are the accidentals of human nature, which 
change with circumstances and times. It speaks to the Im- 
mortal ; to the Something Divine within, which ever whispers 
of weal or wo to be hereafter in an unending future. 

Moreover, the poetry is such in its spirit as coming ages 
will specially demand. The purifying waters, which the 
Gospel is now pouring over the world, will not cease to flow, 
when the idol temple, and the crescent and minaret of the 
false prophet, are trodden m the dust. A change is to be 
wrought in the commerce, the politics, and the literature of 
the Christian nations. Shame and sorrow belong to all who 
use the English language, that, even in this, the literature thus 
far has exhibited, predominantly, a spirit so utterly at va- 



ixviii INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. 

nance with the spirit of the gospel, or at least so utterly 
destitute of that spirit. We are of those who freely profess 
to believe, that man's intellect is to reach its highest and 
noblest, as well as purest, energies, in its nearest moral con- 
formity to God, the First, Tnfinite, Eternal Intellect ; and that 
the gospel, just in proportion as the receiver and disciple 
yields himself to its guidance, carries the intellect upward in 
this holy approximation. The literature, to which minds thus 
elevated and inspired give birlh, must excel all other; and 
such alone, unquestionably, will be adapted to the demands 
of an age, in which the mass of mind shall be controlled by 
the principles of ihe Bible. Such a literature has not exist- 
ed, has not been desired. Men have seemed to consider a 
cultivated literature and a spiritual religion as incompatible. 
It has been gravely said, that a man of ardent piety cannot 
produce a work that will live in after ages. We pronounce 
this a libel upon the Author of the human mind and the Sane 
tifier of the human heart. Christianity does, indeed, humble the 
pride of ambition, and forbid the destined companion of un- 
fallen angels to waste his redeemed and regenerated energies 
upon an intellectual toy to amuse the ungodly sons of Time; 
Dut, in the same act, it opens to him a fount of inspiration 
infinitely superior to comparison with the fabled haunts of 
Muses, and presents a field of mental effort broad as creation 
itself, with motives such as carried the Son of God to the 
Mediatorial Throne through a Manger and a bloody Cross. 
And we thank Heaven, that we see the dawning of new 
days ; that the life and immortality brought to light is be- 
ginning, in a degree, and with a success most cheering, to 
spread its deep energy through several departments of social 
existence, from which it has been hitherto excluded. 

Among the harbingers of better days to come in the history 
of refined literature, we joyfully hail the ' Course of Time.' 
It has the relish of a cluster from the promised land 3 and is 
au earnest of millennial poetry. It breathes out balmy air, like 



INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. XXIX 

breezes of the celestial City. It echoes thrilling' music, as if 
from sainted choirs above, harping- round the Throne. This 
poet drank not at pagan wells; but at the crj'stal spring 
whore stood and drew the gifted seers and bards of Judah, 
there he quaffed deep and long the living waters. His spirit 
had an eye to see the Sun of Righteousness, and went up to 
"feed upon his beams." Soaring to the mount of God, he 
caught of its altar-fires. To himself may be applied, with as 
much justice as to the renowned Poet of whom they are 
written, his own words : — 

The Bard, by God's own hand anointed, who 
To Virtue's all-delighting harmony 
His numbers tuned ; who from tiie fount of truth 
Poured melody, and beauty poured, and love, 
In holy stream, into the human heart. 

To such inspiration the millennial sons of genids, and lovers 
of poetry and letters, will not, we trust, be strangers, as we 
are. Under the regenerating and fertilizing influences of 
such an inspiration, we anticipate in the Reign of Peace a 
golden harvest of various literature. A-s a sort of first fruits 
of this, we commend to every reader the Poem which has 
occasioned our remarks. We dare offer it as a specimen 
of that which will accord with the taste of a fast-coming age, 
in which the unsanctified productions of licentious, infidel and 
impenitent genius will be impartially judged, and correctly 
estimated ; and we dare urge its repeated perusal on every 
class of readers. 

3* 



COURSE OF TIME 



Moot £. 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK 1 

Invocation is made to the Eternal Spirit of Truth, and the subject 
of the Poem is stated. 

Long after Time had ceased, and Eternity had rolled on its ages, 
two youthful sons of Paradise walk on the hills of immortality, 
enjoying holy converse. A stranger spirit from another world 
arrives, and is welcomed by them to the abodes of bliss. The 
stranger desires them to explain the wonderful things he had 
noticed in his flight from his native world to heaven. Having 
Bailed through emi)ty, nameless regions, where utter nothing 
dwelt, he suddenly came to a mountainous wall of fiery ada- 
ant, on which were horrid figures, traced in fire, imitating 
1*0. He entered within, and saw a wide lake of burning fire, 
and saw most miserable beings walking in the flames, burning 
continually, yet unconsumed. Filled with horror, he hastened 
from the dismal prison to the world of light, and now desired to 
understand this wondrous wretchedness. Tlie Two, unable to 
explain it, and having their curiosity awakened, propose to 
visit an " ancient Bard of Earth," who often had sung on this 
subject to the admiring youth of heaven. 

They find the Bard alone, in holy musing, and state to him their 
desire. He informs them that the prison di scribed is Hell, und 
promises more fully to mee*. their curiosity bj relating to theist 
the history of Man. 



THE 



COURSE OF TIME. 



33 It K. 



Eternal Spirit ! God of truth ! to whom 
All things seem as they are ; Thou, wlio of old 
The prophet's eye unsealed, that nightly saw, 
While heavy sleep fell down on other men 
In holy vision tranced, the future pass 
Before him, and to Judah's harp attuned 
Burdens which made the pagan mountains shake, 
And Zion's cedars bow, — inspire my song ; 
My eye unscale ; me what is substance teach, 
And shadow what, while I of things to come, 10 

As past, rehearsing, sing the Course of Time, 
The second birth, and final doom of man. 

The muse, that soft and sickly woos the ear 
Of love, or, chanting loud in windy rhyme 
Of fabled hero, raves through gaudy tale 
Not overfraught with sense, I ask not: such 
A strain befits not argument so high. 
Me thought, and phrase severely sifting out 
Tlie whole idea, grant; uttering — as 'tis 
The essential truth — time gone, the righteous saved,20 
The wicked damned, and providence approved 

Hold my right hand, Almighty ! and me teach 
To strike the lyre, but seldom struck, to notes 
Hirmonious with the morning stars, and pure 
As those by sainted bards and angels sung, 



34 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Which wake the echoes of Eternity ; 

That fools may hear and tremble, and the wise, 

Instructed, listen, of ages yet to come. 

Long was the day, so long expected, past 
Of the eternal doom, that gave to each 30 

Of all the hmnan race his due reward. 
The sun, earth's sun, and moon, and stars, had ceased 
To number seasons, days, and months, and years 
To mortal man. Hope was forgotten, and fear : 
And time, with all its chance, and change, and smiles, 
And frequent tears, and deeds of villany. 
Or righteousness, once talked of much, as things 
Of great renown, was now but ill remembered ; 
In dim and shadowy vision of the past 
Seen far remote, as country, which has left 40 

The traveller's speedy step, retiring back 
From morn till even ; and long Eternity 
Had rolled his mighty years, and with his years 
Men had grown old. The saints, all home returned 
From pilgrimage, and war, and weeping, long 
Had rested in the bowers of peace, that skirt 
The stream of life ; and long — alas ! how long 
To them it seemed ! — the wicked, who refused 
To be redeemed, had wandered in the dark 
Of hell's despair, and drunk the burning cup 50 

Their sins had filled with everlasting wo. 

Thus far the years had rolled, which none but God 
Doth number, when two sons, two youthful sons 
Of Paradise, in conversation sweet, — 
For thus the heavenly muse instructs me, wooed 
At midnight hour with offering sincere 
Of all the heart, poured out in holy prayer, — 
High on the hills of immortality, 
Whence goodliest prospect looks beyond the walls 
Of heaven, walked, casting oft their eye far throughGG 
The pure serene, observant if, returned 
From errand duly finished, any came, 
Or any, first in virtue now complete. 
From other worlds arrived, confirmed in good. 



BOOK I. 35 

Thus viewing, one they saw, on hasty wing 
Directing towards lieaven liis course ; and now, 
His fliglit ascending near tlie battlements 
And lofty hills on which they walked, apprpached. 
For round and round, in spacious circuit wide, 
Mountains of tallest stature circumscribe 70 

The plains of Paradise, whose tops, arrayed 
In uncreated radiance, seem so pure, 
That naught but angel's foot, or saint's, elect 
Of God, may venture there to walk. Here oft 
The sons of bliss take morrx or evening pastime, 
Delighted to behold ten thousand worlds 
Around their suns revolving in the vast 
External space, or listen the harmonies 
That each to other in its motion sings. 
And hence, in middle heaven remote, is seen 80 

The mount of God in awful glory bright. 
Within, no orb create of moon, or star. 
Or sun, gives light ; for God's own countenance, 
Beaming eternally, gives light to all. 
But farther than these sacred hills, his will 
Forbids its flow, too bright for eyes beyond. 
This is the last ascent of Virtue ; here 
All trial ends, and hope ; here perfect joy, 
With perfect righteousness, which to tiiese heights 
Alone can rise, begins, above all fall. 90 

And now, on wing of holy ardour strong. 
Hither ascends the stranger borne upright, — 
For stranger he did seem, with curious eye 
Of nice inspection round surveying all, — 
And at the feet alights of those that stood 
His coming, who the hand of welcome gave, 
And the embrace sincere of holy love ; 
And thus, with comely greeting kind, began 

Hail, brother ! hail, thou son of happiness, 
Thou son beloved of God ! welcome to heaven, 100 
To bliss that never fades I thy day is past 
Of trial and of fear to fall. Well done. 



do THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Thou good and faithful servant ; enter now 

Into the joy eternal of thy Lord. 

Come with us, and behold far higher sight 

Than e'erihy heart desired, or hope conceived. 

See, yonder is the glorious hill of God, 

'Bove auffel's gaze in brightness rising high. 

Come, join our wing, and we will guide thy flight 

To mysteries of everlasting bliss — 

The tree, and fount of life, the eternal throne, 110 

And presence chamber of the King of kings. 

But what concern hangs on thy countenance, 

Unwont within this place ? Perhaps thou deemst 

Thyself unworthy to be brought before 

The always Ancient One. So are we, too, 

Unworthy ; but our God is all in all, 

And gives us boldness to approach his throne. 

Sons of the Higliest ! citizens of heaven I 
Began the new-arrived, rigiit have ye judged . 120 
Unworthy, most unworthy is your servant, 
To stand in presence of the King, or hold 
Most distant and most humble place in this 
Abode of excellent glory imrevealed. 
But God Almighty be for ever praised, 
Who of his fulness, fills me with all grace 
And ornament, to make me in his sight 
Well pleasing, and accepted in his court. 
Bat, if your leisure waits, short narrative 
Will tell, why strange concern thus overhangs 130 
My face, ill seeming here ; and haply, too, 
Your elder knowledge can instruct my youth, 
Of what seems dark and doubtful, unexplained. 

Our leisure waits thee. Speak ; and what we can, 
Delighted most to give delight, we will ; 
Though much of mystery yet to us remains. 

Virtue, I need not tell, when proved and full 
Matured, inclines us up to God and heaven. 
By law of sweet compulsion strong and sure ; 



BOOK I. 37 

As gravitation to the larger orb 140 

The less attracts, through matter's whole domain. 
Virtue in me was ripe. 1 speak not this 
In boast; for what I am to God 1 owe. 
Entirely owe, and of myself am naught. 
Equipped and bent for heaven, I left yon world, 
My native seat, which scarce your eye can reach, 
Rolling around her central sun, far out. 
On utmost verge of light. But first, to see 
What lay beyond the visible creation, 
Strong curiosity my flight impelled. 150 

Long was my way, and strange. I passed the bounds 
Which God doth set to light, and life, and love ; 
Where darkness meets with day, where order meets 
Disorder, dreadful, waste, and wild; and down 
The dark, eternal, uncreated night 
Ventured alone. Long, long on rapid wing, 
I sailed through empty, nameless regions vast, 
Wkere utter Nothing dwells, unformed and void. 
There neither eye, no ear, nor any sense 
Of being most acute, finds object; there 160 

For aught external still you search in vain. 
Try touch, or sight, or smell ; try what you will 
You strangely find naught but yourself alone. 
But why should I in words attempt to tell 
What that is like, which is, and yet is not.'' 
This passed, my path, descending, led me still 
O'er unclaimed continents of desert gloom 
Immense, where gravitation shifting turns 
The other way ; and to some dread, unknown, 
Infernal centre downward weighs : and now, — 170 
Far travelled from the edge of darkness, far 
As from that glorious mount of God to light's 
Remotest limb, — dire sights I saw, dire sounds 
I heard ; and suddenly before my eye 
A wall of fiery adamant sprung up, 
Wall mountainous, tremendous, flaming high 
Above all flight of hope. I paused, and looked; 
And saw, where'er I looked upon that mound, 
Sad figures traced in fire, not motionless, 
4 



3S8 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

But imitating life. One I remarked 180 

Attentively ; but how shall I describe 

What naught resembles else my eye hath seen ? 

Of worm or serpent kind it something looked, 

But monstrous, with a thousand snaky heads, 

Eyed each with double orbs of glaring wrath ; 

And with as many tails, that twisted out 

In horrid revolution, tipped with stings ; 

And all its mouths, that wide and darkly gaped. 

And breathed most poisonous breath, had each a sting-. 

Forked, and long, and venomous, and sharp; 190 

And, in its writhings infinite, it grasped 

Malignantly what seemed a heart, swollen, black, 

And quivering with torture most intense ; 

And still the heart, with anguish throbbing high. 

Made effort to escape, but could not ; for, 

Howe'er it turned — and ofl it vainly turned — '■ 

These complicated foldings held it fast. 

And still the monstrous beast with sting of head 

Or tail transpierced it, bleeding evermore. 

What this could image, much I searclied to know •,200 

And while I stood, and gazed, and wondered long, 

A voice— from whence I knew not, for no one 

I saw — distinctly whispered in my ear 

These words : This is the Worm that never dies. 

Fast by the side of this unsightly thing 
Another was portrayed, more hideous still: 
Who sees it once shall wish to see't no more. 
For ever undescribed let it remain ! 
Only this much J may or can unfold. 
Far out it thrust a dart that might have made 210 

The knees of Terror quake, and on it hung, 
Within the triple barbs, a being pierced 
Through soul and body both. Of heavenly make 
Original the being seemed, but fallen. 
And worn and wasted with enormous wo. 
And still, around the everlasting lance. 
It writhed, convulsed, and uttered mimic groans ; 
And tried and wished, and ever tried and wished 



BOOK I. 39 

To die ; but could not die. Oh, horrid sight ! [220 
I trembling gazed, and listened, and heard this voice 
Approach my ear ; This is Eternal Death. 

Nor these alone. Upon that burning wall, 
In horrible emblazonry, were limned 
All shapes, all forms, all modes of wretchedness, 
And agony, and grief, and desperate wo. 
And prominent in characters of fire, 
Where'er the eye could light, these words you read : 
*' Who comes this way, behold, and fear to sin !" 
Amazed I stood ; and thought such imagery 
Foretokened, within, a dangerous abode. 230 

But yet to see the worst a wish arose. 
For virtue, by the holy seal of God 
Accredited and stamped, immortal all, 
And all invulnerable, fears no hurt 
As easy as my wish, as rapidly, 
I through the horrid rampart passed, unscathed 
And unopposed ; and, poised on steady wing, 
I hovering gazed. Eternal Justice ! sons 
Of God ! tell me, if ye can tell, what then 
I saw, what then I heard. Wide was the place, " 240 
And deep as wide, and ruinous as deep. 
Beneath, I saw a lake of burning fire. 
With tempest tost perpetually, and still 
The waves of fiery darkness 'gainst the rocks 
Of dark damnation broke, and music made 
Of melancholy sort; and over head. 
And all around, wind warred with wind, storm howled 
To storm, and lightning forked lightning crossed, 
And thunder answered thunder, muttering sounds 
Of sullen wrath; and far as sight could pierce, 250 
Or down descend in caves of hopeless depth. 
Through all that dungeon of unfading fire, 
I saw most miserable beings walk, 
Burning continually, yet unconsumed ; 
For ever wasting, yet enduring still; 
Dying perpetually, yet never dead. 
Some wandered lonely in the desert flames, 



40 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And some in fell encounter fiercely met, 

With curses loud, and blasphemies, that made 

The cheek of Darkness pale ; and as they fought, 260 

And cursed, and gnashed their teeth, and wished to die, 

Their hollow eyes did utter streams of wo. 

And there were groans that ended not, and sighs 

That al\va\s sighed, and tears that ever \vept. 

And ever fell, but not in Mercy s sight. 

And Sorrow, and Repentance, and Despair, 

Among them walked, and to their thirst}'- lips 

Presented frequent cups of burning gall. 

And as I listened, I heard these beings curse 270 

Almighty God, and curse the Lamb, and curse 

The earth, the resurrection morn, and seek, 

And ever vainly seek, for utter death. 

And to their everlasting anguish still, 

The thunders from above responding spoke 

These words, which, through the caverns of perdition 

Forlornly echoing, fell on every ear : 

*' Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not." 

And back again recoiled a deeper groan. 

A deeper groan ! Oh, what a groan was that ! 

1 waited not, but swift on speediest wing, 280 

With unaccustomed thoughts conversing, back 

Retraced my venturous path from dark to light. 

Then up ascending, long ascending up, 

I hasted on ; though whiles the chiming spheres, 

By God's own finger touched to harmony, 

Held me delaying, till I here arrived, 

Drawn upward by the eternal love of God, 

Of wonder full and strange astonishment. 

At what in yonder den of darkness dwells, 

Which now your higher knowledge will unfold. 290 

They answering said : To ask and to bestow 
Knowledge, is much of heaven's delight; and now 
Most joyfully what thou requirst we would: 
For much of new and unaccountable 
Thou bringst. Something indeed we heard before, 
In passing conversation slightly touched, 



HOOK I. 41 

Of such a place ; yet, rather to be taught, 

Than teaching, answer, what thy marvel asks, 

We need; for we ourselves, though here, are but 

Of yesterday, creation's younger sons. 300 

But there is one, an ancient bard of Earth, 

Who, by the stream of life, sitting in bliss, 

Has ofl beheld the eternal years complete 

The mighty circle round the throne of God ; 

Great in all learning, in all wisdom great. 

And great in song ; whose harp in lofty strain 

Tells frequently of what thy wonder craves. 

While round him, gathering, stand the youth of heaven, 

With truth and melody delighted both. 

To him this path directs, an easy path, 310 

And easy flight will bring us to his seat. 

So saying, they linked hand in hand, spread out 
Their golden wings, by living breezes fanned. 
And over heaven's broad champaign sailed serene. 
O'er hill and valley, clothed with verdure green, 
That never fades; and tree, and herb, and flower, 
That never fades ; and many a river, rich 
With nectar, winding pleasantly, they passed; 
And mansion of celestial mould, and work 
Divine. And oft delicious music, sung 320 

By saint and angel bands that walked the vales, 
Or mountain tops, and harped upon their harps, 
Their ear inclined, and held by sweet constraint 
Their wing ; not long, for strong desire awaked 
Of knowledge that to holy use might turn, 
Still pressed them on to leave what rather seemed 
Pleasure, due only when all duty's done. 

And now beneath them lay the wished-for spot, 
The sacred bower of that renowned bard ; 
That ancient bard, ancient in days and song ; 330 

But in immortal vigour young, and young 
In rosy health ; to pensive solitude 
Retiring oft, as wq.s his wont on earth. 
4# 



<1 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Fit was the place, most fit, for holy musingf. 
Upon a little mount, that gently rose, 
He sat, clothed in white robes ; and o'er his head 
A laurel tree, of lustiest, eldest growth. 
Stately and tall, and shadowing tar and wide, — 
Not fruitless, as on earth, but bloomed, and rich 
With frequent clusters, ripe to heavenly taste, — 340 
Spread its eternal boughs, and in its arms 
A myrtle of unfading leaf embraced — 
The rose and lily, fresh with fragrant dew, 
And every flower of fairest cheeTc, around 
Him, smiling flocked. Beneath his feet, fast by, 
And round his sacred hill, a streamlet walked, 
Warbling the holy melodies of heaven ; 
The hallowed zephyrs brought him incense sweet ; 
And out before him opened, in prospect long, 
The river of life, in many a winding maze 350 

Descending from the lofty throne of God, 
That with excessive glory closed the scene. 

Of Adam's race he was, and lonely sat, 
By chance that day, in meditation deep, 
Reflecting much of time, and earth, and man. 
And now to pensive, now to cheerful notes. 
He touched a harp of wondrous melody. 
A golden harp it was, a precious gift.*' 
Which, at the day \>f judgment, with the crown 
Of life, he had received from God's own hand, 360 
Reward due to his service done on earth. 

He sees their coming, and with greeting kind, 
And welcome, not of hollow forged smiles, 
And ceremonious compliment of phrase. 
But of the heart sincere, into his bower 
Invites. Like greeting they returned. Not bent 
In low obeisancy, from creature most 
Unfit to creature ; but with manly form 
Upright they entered in ; though high his rank, 
His wisdom high, and mighty his renown. 370 



BOOK I. 4'S 

And thus, deferring all apology, 

The two their new companion introduced. 

Ancient in knowledge ! bard of Adam's race ! 
We bring thee one, of us inquiring what 
We need to learn, and with liim wish to learn. 
His asking will direct thy answer best. 

Most ancient bard ! began the new-arrived. 
Few words will set my wonder forth, and guide 
Thy wisdom's light to what in me is dark. 

Equipped for heaven, I left my native place. 280 
But first beyond the realms of light I bent 
My course ; and there, in utter darkness, far 
Remote, I beings saw forlorn in wo, 
Burning continually, yet unconsumed. 
And there were groans that ende(i not, and sighs 
That always sighed, and tears that ever wept 
And ever fell, but not in Mercy's sight. 
And still I heard these wretched beings curse 
Almighty God, and curse the Lamb, and curse 
The earth, the resurrection morn, and seek. 390 

And ever vainly seek, for utter death. 
And from above the thunders answered still, 
*' Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not." 
And every where, throughout that horrid den, 
1 saw a form of excellence, a form 
Of beauty without spot, that naught could see 
And not admire, admire and not adore. 
And from its own essential beams it gave 
Light to itself, that made the gloom more dark. 
And every eye in that infernal pit 400 

Beheld it still ^ and from its face — how fair ! 
Oh, how exceeding fair ! — for ever sought, 
But ever vainly sought, to turn away. 
That image, as I guess, was Virtue ; for 
Naught else hath God given countenance so fair. 
But why in such a place it should abide ? 
What place it is ? What beings there lament ^ 



44 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Whence came they ? and for what their endless groan' 
Why curse they God ? why seek they utter death ? 
And chief, what means the resurrection morn r 410 
My youth expects thy reverend age to tell. 

Thou rightly deemst, fair youth, began the bard. 
The form thou sawst was Virtue, ever fair. 
Virtue, like God, whose excellent majesty, 
Whose glory virtue is, is omnipresent. 
No being, once created rational, 
Accountable, endowed with moral sense, 
With sapience of right and wrong endowed, 
And charged, however fallen, debased, destroyed ; 
However lost, forlorn, and miserable ; 420 

In guilt's dark shrouding wrapped however thick ; 
However drunk, delirious, and mad. 
With sin's full cup ; and with whatever damned, 
Unnatural diligence it work and toil, — 
Can banish Virtue from its sight, or once 
Forget that she is fair. Hides it in night. 
In central night ; takes it the lightning's wing, 
And flies for ever on, beyond the bounds 
Of all ; drinks it the maddest cup of sin ; 
Dives it beneath the ocean of despair ; 430 

It dives, it drinks, it flies, it hides in vain. 
For still the eternal beauty, image fair. 
Once stamped upon the soul, before the eye 
All lovely stands, nor will depart ; so God 
Ordains ; and lovely to the worst she seems. 
And ever seems ; and as they look, and still 
Must ever look, upon her loveliness. 
Remembrance dire of what they were, of what 
They might have been, and bitter sense of what 
They are, polluted, ruined, hopeless, lost, 440 

With most repenting torment rend their hearts. 
So God ordains, their punishment severe, 
Eternally inflicted by themselves. 
Tis this, this Virtue, hovering evermore 
Before the vision of the damned, and, in 
Upon their monstrous moral nakedness 



BOOK I. 45 

Casting unwelcome light, that makes their wo, 
That makes the. essence of the endless flame. 
Where this is, there is hell, darker than aught 
That he, the bard three-visioned, darkest saw. 450 

The place thou sawst was hell ; the groans thou 
heardst 
The wailings of the damned, of those who would 
Not be redeeined, and at the judgment day, 
Long past, for unrepented sins were damned. 
The seven loud thunders which thou heardst, declare 
The eternal wratli of tiie Almigiity God. 
But whence, or why they came to dwell in wo, 
Wliy they curse God, what means the glorious morn 
Of resurrection, these a longer tale 
Demand, and lead the mournful lyre far back 460 

Through memory of sin and mortal man. 
Yet haply not rewardless we shall trace 
The dark disastrous years of finished Time. 
Sorrows remembered sweeten present joy. 
Nor yet shall all be sad; for God gave peace, 
Much peace on earth, to all who feared his name. 

But first it needs to say, that other style 
And other language than thy ear is wont. 
Thou must expect to hear — tlie dialect 
Of man. For each in heaven a relish holds 470 

Of former speech, that points to whence he came. 
But whether I of person speak, or place. 
Event or action, moral or divine ; 
Or things unknown compare to things unknown; 
Allude, imply, suggest, apostrophize ; 
Or touch, when wandering through the past, on moods 
Of mind thou never feltst ; — the meaning still, 
With easy apprehension, thou shalt take. 
So perfect here is knowledge, and the strings 
Of sympathy so tuned, that every word 480 

That each to other speaks, though never heard 
Before, at once is fully understood, 
And every feeling uttered, fully felt. 



46 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

So shall thou find, as from my various song, 
That backward rolls o'er many a tide of years, 
Directly or inferred, tliy asking, thou, 
And wondering doubt, shalt learn to answer, while 
I sketch in brief the history of man. 



COURSE OF TIME. 



JSoolt Sfi 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK II. 

The " ancient Bard " begins his story. He relates briefly the 
creation of ihe Earth, and of Man ; the Apostasy ; and the pro- 
vision for Man's recovery through the Incarnation and Death of 
the Son of God. The inquiring spirit breaks out in rapturoua 
admiration of Redeeming Love, expressing the supposition that 
the whole race of Adam must have availed themselves of its 
benefits. The Bard proceeds, correcting this mistake, and 
stating further the efforts on the part of God to secure the salva- 
tion of men, and the unwillingness of multitudes to receive 
mercy. The Bible, proceeding from God himself, was sent to 
them, containing a full exhibition of God's character and law ; 
of man's character, condition, duty, and destiny ; of the nature 
and tendency of sin, and of the method of final pardon ; but 
many refused to regard this voice from heaven ; many perverted 
its testimony ; many, after extinguishing the light of revelation, 
yielded to impious idolatry. Some of the influences which oper- 
ated to counteract the Bible are noticed ; particularly the 
criminal abuse of oflice and authority, the admiration of philos- 
ophy and science, the love of pleasure and indolence. In con- 
clusion, the " primal cause " and "fountain-head" of all the 
opposition manifested to God and to his revealed word is found 
in the Pride of the human heart. 



THE 



COURSE OF TIME. 



3l5ook K£. 



This said, he waked the golden harp, and thus, 
While on him inspiration breathed, began. 

As from yon everlasting hills that gird 
Heaven northward, I thy course espied, I judge 
Thou from the arctic regions came ? Perhaps 
Thou noticed on thy way a little orb. 
Attended by one moon, her lamp by night, 
With her fair sisterhood of planets seven. 
Revolving round their central sun; she third 
In place, in magnitude the fourth. That orb, 10 

New made, new named, inhabited anew, — 
Though whiles we sons of Adam visit still. 
Our native place, not changed so far but we 
Can trace our ancient walks, the scenery 
Of childhood, youth, and prime, and hoary age, 
But scenery most of suffering and wo, — 
That little orb, in days remote of old, 
When angels yet were young, was made for man, 
And titled Earth, her piimal virgin name; — 
Created first so lovely, so adorned 20 

With hill, and dale, and lawn, and winding vale. 
Woodland, and stream, and lake, and rolling seas, 



50 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Green mead, and fruitful tree, and fertile grain, 

And herb and flower; so lovely, so adorned 

With numerous beasts of every kind, with fowl 

Of every wing and every tuneful note, 

And with all rish that in the multitude 

Of waters swam; so lovely, so adorned, 

So fit a dwelling place for man, that, as 

She rose, complete, at the creating word, 30 

The morning stars, the sons of God, aloud 

Shouted for joy ; and God, beholding, saw 

The fair design, that from eternity 

His mind conceived, accomplished, and, well pleased, 

His six days' finished work most good pronounced, 

And man declared the sovereign prince of all. 

All else was prone, irrational, and mute, 
And unaccountable, by instinct led. 
But man He made of angel form erect, 
To hold communion with the heavens above ; 40 

And on his soul impressed his image fair, 
His own similitude of holiness. 
Of virtue, truth, and love ; with reason high 
To balance right and wrong, and conscience quick 
To choose or to reject; with knowledge great, 
Prudence and wisdom, vigilance and strength, 
To guard all force or guile ; and, last of all, 
The highest gift of God's abundant grace, 
With perfect, free, unbiased will. Thus man 
Was made upright, immortal made, and crowned oii 
The king of all ; to eat, to drink, to do 
Freely and sovereignly his will entire ; — 
By one command alone restrained, to prove. 
As was most just, his filial love sincere, 
His loyalty, obedience due, and faith. 
And thus the prohibition ran, expressed, 
As God is wont, in terms of plainest truth. 

Of every tree that in the garden grows 
Thou mayest freely eat ; but of the tree 
That knowledge hath of good and ill, eat not, 60 



BOOK II. 51 

Nor touch ; for in the day thou eatest, thou 
Sl»alt die. Go, and this one command obey, 
i^dam, live and be happy, and, with thy Eve, 
Fit consort, multiply and fill the earth. 

Thus they, the representatives of men. 
Were placed in Eden, choicest spot of earth. 
With royal honour and with glory crowned, 
Adam, the Lord of all, majestic walked. 
With godlike countenance sublime, and form 
Of lofty towering strength ; and by his side 70 

Eve, fair as morning star, with modesty 
Arrayed, with virtue, grace, and perfect love 
In holy marriage wed, and eloquent 
Of thought and comely words, to worship God 
And sing his praise, the Giver of all good : 
Glad, in each other glad, and glad in hope j 
Rejoicing in their future happy race. 

O lovely, happy, blest, immortal pair ! 
Pleased with the present, full of glorious hope. 
But short, alas ! the song that sings their bliss ! 80 

Henceforth the history of man grows dark ! 
Shade after shade of deepening gloom descends ; 
And Innocence laments her robes defiled. 
Who farther sings, must change the pleasant lyre 
To heavy notes of wo. Why ! dost thou ask, 
Surprised ? The answer will surprise thee more. 
Man sinned ; tempted, he ate the guarded tree ; — 
Tempted of whom thou afterwards shalt hear ; — 
Audacious, unbelieving, proud, ungrateful, 
He ate the interdicted fruit, and fell ; 90 

And in his fall, his universal race ; 
For they in him by delegation were, 
In him to stand or fall, to live or die. 

Man most ingrate ! so full of grace, to sin. 
Here interposed the new-arrived, so full 
Of bliss, to sin against the Gracious One ! 
The holy, just, and good ! the Eternal Love ! 



fid THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Unseen, unheard, unthought of wickedness ! 
Why slumbered vengeance ? No, it slumbered not. 
The ever just and righteous God would let 100 

His fury loose, and satisfy his threat. 

That had been just, replied the reverend bard ; 
But done, fair youth, thou ne'er hadst met me here, 
I ne'er had seen yon glorious throne in peace. 

Thy powers are great, originally great, 
And purified even at the fount of light. 
Exert them now, call all their vigour out ; 
Take room, think vastly, meditate intensely, 
Reason profoundly; send conjecture forth; 
Let fancy fly, stoop down, ascend; all length, 110 
All breadth explore, all moral, all divine ; 
Ask prudence, justice, mercy ask, and might; 
Weigh good with evil, balance right with wrong; 
With virtue vice compare, hatred with love ; 
God's holiness, God's justice, and God's truth, 
Deliberately and cautiously compare 
With sinful, wicked, vile, rebellious man ; — 
And see if thou canst punish sin, and let 
Mankind go free. Thou failst; be not surprised; 
I bade thee search in vain. Eternal love, — 
Harp, lift thy voice on high ! — eternal love, 120 

Eternal, sovereign love, and sovereign grace, 
Wisdom, and power, and mercy infinite. 
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God, 
Devised the wondrous plan, devised, achieved, 
And in achieving made the marvel more. 
Attend, ye heavens ! ye heaven of heavens, attend ! 
Attend and wonder, wonder evermore ! 
When man had fallen, rebelled, insulted God; 
Was most polluted, yet most madly proud; 130 

Indebted infinitely, yet most poor; 
Captive to sin, yet willing to be bound ; 
To God's incensed justice and hot wrath 
Exposed, due victim of eternal death 
And utter wo — Harp, lift thy voice on high I 



BOOK II. 5*1 

Ye everlasting hills ! ye angels ! bow ; 

Bow, ye redeemed of men ! — God was made flesh, 

And dwelt with man on earth ! The Son of God, 

Only begotten and well beloved, between 

Men and his Father's justice interposed ; 140 

Put human nature on ; His wrath sustained ; 

And in their name suffered, obeyed, and died, 

Making his soul an offering for sin ; 

Just for unjust, and innocence for guilt. 

By doing, suffering, dying unconstrained, 

Save by omnipotence of boundless grace, 

Complete atonement made to God appeased 

Made honourable his insulted law. 

Turning the wrath aside from pardoned man. 

Thus Tmth with Mercy met, and Righteousness, 150 

Stooping from highest heaven, embraced fair Peace, 

That walked the earth in fellowship with Love 

O love divine ! O mercy infinite ! 
The audience here in glowing rapture broke ; 
O love, all height above, all depth below. 
Surpassing far all knowledge, all desire. 
All tiiought ! The Holy One for sinners dies ! 
Tlie Lord of life for guilty rebels bleeds. 
Quenches eternal fire witli blood divine ! 
Abundant mercy ! overflowing grace ! 160 

There, whence I came, I something heard of men ; 
Their name had reached us, and report did speak 
Of some abominable horrid thing. 
Of desperate offence they had committed. 
And something too of wondrous grace we heard. 
And oft of our celestial visitants 
What man, what God had done, inquired; but they. 
Forbid, our asking never met directly, 
F^xhorting still to persevere upright, [170 

And we should hear in heaven, though greatly blest 
Ourselves, new wonders of God's wondrous love. 
This hinting, keener appetite to know 
Awaked ; and as we talked, and much admired 
What new we there should learn, we hasted each 
5* 



54 THE COURSE OP TIME. 

To nourish virtue to perfection up, 

That we might have our wondering resolved, 

And leave of louder praise to greater deeds 

Of loving kindness due. Mysterious love ! 

God was made flesh, and dwelt with men on earth 

Blood holy, blood divine for sinners shed ! 180 

My asking ends, but makes my wonder more. 

Saviour of men I henceforth be thou my theme ; 

Redeeming love, my study day and night. 

Mankind were lost, all lost, and all redeemed ! 

Thou errst again, but innocently errst, 
Not knowing sin's depravity, nor man's 
Sincere and persevering wickedness. 
All were redeemed .' Not all, or thou hadst heard 
No human voice in hell. Many refused, 
Although beseeched, refused to be redeemed, 190 

Redeemed from death to life, from wo to bliss ! 

Canst thou believe my song when thus I sing ? 
When man had fallen, was ruined, hopeless, lost — 
Ye choral harps ! ye angels that excel 
In strength ! and loudest, ye redeemed of men ! 
To God, to Him that sits upon the throne 
On high, and to the Lamb, sing honour, sing 
Dominion, glory, blessing sing, and praise ! — 
When man had fallen, was ruined, hopeless, lost, 
Messiah, Prince of Peace, Eternal King, 200 

Died, that tlie dead might live, the lost be saved. 
Wonder, O heavens ! and be astonished, earth ! 
Thou ancient, thou forgotten earth ! ye worlds, admire . 
Admire and be confounded ! and thou hell. 
Deepen thy eternal groan ! — men would not be 
Redeemed, — I speak of many, not of all, — 
Would not be saved for lost, have life for death ! 

Mysterious song ! the new-arrived exclaimed, 
Mysterious mercy ! most mysterious hate ! 
To disobey was mad, this madder far, 210 

Incurable insanity of will ! 



BOOK [I. 55 

What now but wrath could guilty men expect ? 
What more could love, what more could mercy do? 

No more, resumed the bard, no more they could. 
Thou hast seen hell. The wicked there lament ! 
And why ? for love and mercy twice despised. 
The husbandman, who sluggishly forgot 
In spring to plough and sow, could censure none, 
Though winter clamoured round his empty barrts. 
But he who, having thus neglected, did 220 

Refuse, when autumn came, and famine threatened, 
To reap the golden field tiiat charity 
BestoAved ; nay, more obdurate, proud, and blind, 
And stupid still, refused, though much beseeched. 
And long entreated, even with Mercy's tears, 
To eat what to his very lips was held. 
Cooked temptingly, — he certainly, at least, 
Deserved to die of hunger, unbemoaned. 
So did the wicked spurn the grace of God ; 
And so were punished with the second death. 230 

The first, no doubt, puiiition less severe 
Intended; death, belike, of all entire. 
But this incurred, by God discharged, and life 
Freely presented, and again despised, 
Despised, though bought with Mercy's proper blood — 
'Twas this dug hell, and kindled all its bounds 
With wrath and inextinguishable fire. 

Free was the offer, free to all. of life 
And of salvation ; but the proud of heart, 
Because 'twas free, would not accept; and still 210 
To merit wished ; and choosing, thus unsliipptd, 
Uncompassed, unprovisioned, and bestormed 
To swim a sea of breadth immeasurable. 
They scorned the goodly bark, whose wings the breath 
Of God's eternal Spirit filled for heaven. 
That stopped to take them in, — and so were lost ! 

What wonders dost thou tell ! To merit, how I 
Of creature meriting in sight of God, 



66 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

As right of service done, I never heard 

Till now. We never fell ; in virtue stood 250 

Upright, and persevered in holiness ; 

But stood by grace, by grace we persevered. 

Ourselves, our deeds, our holiest, highest deeds. 

Unworthy aught; grace worthy endless praise. 

If we fly swift, obedient to his will. 

He gives us wings to fly ; if we resist 

Temptation, and ne'er fall, it is his shield 

Omnipotent that wards it off; if we, 

With love unquenchable, before him burn, 

'Tis he that lights and keeps alive the flame 260 

Men surely lost their reason in their fall, 

And did not understand the offer made. 

They might have understood, the bard replied; 
They had the Bible. Hast thou ever heard 
Of such a book.'' The author, God himself; 
The subject, God and man, salvation, life 
And death — eternal life, eternal death — 
Dread words ! whose meaning has no end, no bounds- 
Most wondrous book ! bright candle of tlie Lord ! 
Star of eternity ! the only star 270 

By which the bark of man could navigate 
The sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss 
Securely ! only star which rose on Time, 
And, on its dark and troubled billows, still, 
As generation, drifting swiftly by, 
Succeeded generation, threw a ray 
Of heaven's own light, and to the hills of God, 
The eternal hills, pointed the sinner's eye. 
By prophets, seers, and priests, and sacred bards, 
Evangelists, apostles, men inspired, 280 

And by the Holy Ghost anointed, set 
Apart and consecrated to declare 
To Earth the counsels of the Eternal One, 
This book, this holiest, this sublimest book, 
Was sent. Heaven's will, Heaven's code of laws entire, 
To man, this book contained; defined the bounds 
Of vice and virtue, and of life and death ; 



BOOK II. 57 

And what was shadow, what was substance taught. 

Much it revealed ; important all , the least [290 

Worth more than what else seemed of highest worth, 

But this of plainest, most essential truth : 

That God is one, eternal, holy, just, 

Omnipotent, omniscient, infinite ; 

Most wise, most good, most merciful and true; 

Jn all perfection most unchangeable : 

That man, that every man of every clime 

And hue, of every age and every rank, 

Was bad, by nature and by practice bad ; 

In understanding blind, in will perverse, 

In heart corrupt ; in every thought, and word, 300 

Imagination, passion, and desire, 

Most utterly depraved throughout, and ill. 

In sight of Heaven, though less in sight of man; 

At enmity with God his maker born. 

And by his very life an heir of death : 

That man, that every man was, farther, most 

Unable to redeem himself, or pay 

One mite of his vast debt to God ; nay, more, 

Was most reluctant and averse to be 

Redeemed, and sin's most voluntary slave : 310 

That Jesus, Son of God, of Mary born 

In Bethlehem, and by Pilate crucified 

On Calvary, for man*, thus fallen and lost, 

Died; and, by death, life and salvation bought. 

And perfect righteousness, for all who should 

In his great name believe : That He, the third 

In the eternal Essence, to the prayer 

Sincere should come, should come as soon as asked, 

Proceeding from the Father and the Son, 

To give faith and repentance, such as God 320 

Accepts ; to open the intellectual eyes, 

Blinded by sin ; to bend the stubborn will. 

Perversely to the side of wrong inclined. 

To God and his commandments, just and good; 

The wild, rebellious passions to subdue. 

And bring them back to harmony with heaven; 

To purify the conscience, and to lead 



68 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

The mind into all truth, and to adorn 

"With every holy ornament of grace, 

And sanctify the whole renewed soul, 330 

Which henceforth might no more fall totally, 

But persevere, though erring oft, amidst 

The mists of Time, in piety to God, 

And sacred works of charity to men : 

That he who thus believed, and practised thus, 

Should have his sins forgiven, however vile ; 

Should be sustained at mid-day, morn, and even, 

By God's omnipotent, eternal grace ; 

And in the evil hour of sore disease, 

Temptation, persecution, war, and death, — 340 

For temporal death, although unstinged, remained, — 

Beneath the shadow of the Almighty's wings 

Should sit unhurt, and at the judgment-day, 

Should share the resurrection of the just, 

And reign with Christ in bliss for evermore : 

That all, however named, however great, 

Who would not thus believe, nor practise thus, 

But in their sins impenitent remained. 

Should in perpetual fear and terror live ; 

Should die unpardoned, unredeemed, unsaved; 350 

And, at the hour of doom, should be cast out 

To utter darkness in the night of hell, 

By mercy and by God abandoned; there 

To reap the harvests of eternal wo. 

This did that book declare in obvious phrase, 
In most sincere and honest words, by God 
Himself selected and arranged, so clear. 
So plain, so perfectly distinct, that none, 
"Who read with humble wish to understand, 
And asked the Spirit, given to all who asked, 360 

Could miss their meaning, blazed in heavenly light 

This book, this holy book, on every line 
Marked with the seal of high divinity, 
On every leaf bedewed with drops of love 
Divine, and with the eternal heraldry 



BOOK 11. 59 

And signature of God Almighty stamped 

From first to last, this ray of sacred light, 

This lamp, from oiFthe everlasting throne, 

Mercy took down, and, in the night of Time 

Stood, casting on the dark her gracious bow ; 370 

And evermore beseeching men, with tears 

And earnest sighs, to read, believe, and live. 

And many to her voice gave ear, and read, 

Believed, obeyed ; and now, as the Amen, 

True, Faithful Witness swore, with snowy robes 

And branchy palms, surround the fount of life, 

And drink the streams of immortality, 

For ever happv, and for ever young. 

Many believed ; but more the truth of God 
Turned to a lie, deceiving and deceived; 380 

Fiach with the accursed sorcery of sin, 
To his own wish and vile propensity 
Transforming still the meaning of the text. 

Hear, while I briefly tell what mortals proved, 
By effort vast of ingenuity. 
Most wondrous, though perverse and damnable. 
Proved from the Bible, which, as thou hast heard, 
So plainly spoke that all could understand. 
First, and not least in number, argued some. 
From out this book itself, it was a lie, 390 

A fable, framed by crafty men, to cheat 
The simple herd, and make them bow the knee 
To kings and priests. These, in their wisdom, left 
The light revealed, and turned to fancies wild ; 
Maintaining loud, that ruined, helpless man, 
Needed no Saviour. Others proved that men 
Might live and die in sin, and yet be saved. 
For so it was decreed ; binding the will. 
By God left free, to unconditional. 
Unreasonable fate. Others believed 400 

That he who was most criminal, debased. 
Condemned, and dead, unaided might ascend 
The heights of virtue ; to a perfect law 



60 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Giving a lame, half-way obedience, which 

By useless effort only served to show 

The impoLcnce of him who vainly strove 

Witii finite arm to measure infinite ; 

Most useless effort, when to justify 

In sight of God it meant, as proof of faith 

Most acceptable and worthy of all praise. 410 

Another held, and from the Bible held, 

He was infallible, most fallen by such 

Pretence ; that none the Scriptures, open to all, 

And most to humble-hearted, ought to read. 

But priests ; that all who ventured to disclaim 

His forged authority, incurred the wrath 

Of Heaven; and he who, in the blood of such, 

Though father, mother, daughter, wife, or son, 

Imbrued his hands, did most religious work, 

Well pleasing to the heart of the Most High. 420 

Others in outward rite devotion placed, 

In meats, in drinks, in robe of certain shape. 

In bodily abasements, bended knees ; 

Days, numbers, places, vestments, words, and names; 

Absurdly in their hearts imagining. 

That God, like men, was pleased with outward show. 

Another, stranger and more wicked still, 

With dark and dolorous labor, ill applied. 

With many a gripe of conscience, and with most 

Unhealthy and abortive reasoning, 430 

That brought his sanity to serious doubt, 

'Mong wise and honest men, maintained that He, 

First Wisdom, Great Messiah, Prince of Peace, 

The second of the uncreated Three, 

Was naught but man, of earthly origin : 

Thus making void the sacrifice divine. 

And leaving guilty men, God's holy law 

Still unatoned, to work them endless death. 

These are a part ; but to relate thee all 
The monstrous, unbaptized fantasies, 440 

Imaginations fearfully absurd, 
Hobgoblin rites, and moon-struck re\'^rie3, 



BOOK II. 01 

Distracted creeds, and visionary dreams, 
More bodiless and hideously misshapen 
Than ever fancy, at the noon of night, 
Playing at will, framed in the madman's brain, 
That from this book of simple trutli were proved, 
Were proved, as foolish men were wont to prove, 
Would bring my word in doubt, and thy belief 
Stagger, though here I sit and sing, within 450 

The pale of truth, where falseliood never came. 

The rest, who lost the heavenly light revealed, 
Not wishing to retain God in their minds. 
In darkness wandered on. Yet could they not, 
Though moral night around them drew her pall 
Of blackness, rest in utter unbelief. 
The voice within, the voice of God, that naught 
Could bribe to sleep, though steeped in sorceries 
Of hell, and much abused by whisperings 
Of evil spirits in the dark, announced 460 

A day of judgment and a Judge, a day 
Of misery or bliss : and, being ill 
At ease, for gods they chose them stocks and stones, 
Reptiles, and weeds, and beasts, and creeping things. 
And spirits accursed, ten thousand deities ! 
Imagined worse than he who craved their peace ; 
And, bowing, worshipped these, as best beseemed, 
With midnight revelry obscene and loud. 
With dark, infernal, devilish ceremonies, 
And horrid sacrifice of human flesh, 470 

That made the fair heavens blush. So bad was sin ; 
So lost, so ruined, so depraved was man. 
Created first in God's own image fair. 

Oh, cursed, cursed Sin ! traitor to God, 
And miner of man ! mother of Wo, 
And Death, and Hell ! wretched, yet seeking worse , 
Polluted most, yet wallowing in the mire ; 
Most mad, yet drinking Frenzy's giddy cup ; 
Depth ever deepeninp;, darkness darkening still ; 
Folly for wisdom, guilt for innocence j 480 

6 



m 



THE COURSE OF TIME 



Anguish for rapture, and for hope despair ; 
Destroyed, destroying ; in tormenting, pained ; 
Unawed by wrath, by mercy unreclaimed ; 
Thing most unsightly, most forlorn, most sad, 
Thy time on earth is passed, thy war with God 
And holiness. But who, oh, who shall tell, 
Thy unrepentable and ruinous thoughts ! 
Thy sighs, thy groans ! who reckon thy burning tears, 
And damned looks of everlasting grief, [490 

Where now, with those who took their part with thee, 
Thou sittst in hell, gnawed by the eternal Worm, 
To hurt no more, on all the holy hills ! 

That those, deserting once the lamp of truth. 
Should wander ever on, from worse to worse 
Erroneously, thy wonder needs not ask : 
But that enlightened, reasonable men. 
Knowing themselves accountable, to whom 
God spoke from heaven, and by his servants warned, 
Both day and night, with earnest, pleading voice. 
Of retribution equal to their works, 500 

Should persevere in evil, and be lost, — 
This strangeness, this unpardonable guilt, 
Demands an answer, which my song unfolds, 
In part, directly ; but, hereafter, more. 
To satisfy thy wonder, thou shalt learn, 
Inferring much from what is yet to sing. 

Know, then, of men who sat in highest place, 
Exalted, and for sin by others done 
Were chargeable, the king and priests were chief. 
Many were faithful, holy, just, upright, 510 

Faithful to God and man, reigning renowned 
In righteousness, and, to the people, loud 
And fearless, speaking all the words of life. 
These, at the judgment-day, as thou shalt hear, 
Abundant harvest reaped. But many, too, 
Alas, how many ! famous now in hell, 
Were wicked, cruel, tyrannous, and vile ; 
Ambitious of themselves, abandoned, mad ; 



BOOK II. 63 

And still from servants hasting to be gods, 

Such gods as now they serve in Erebus. 520 

1 pass their lewd example by, that led 

So many wrong, for courtly fashion lost, 

And prove them guilty of one crime alone. 

Of every wicked ruler, prince supreme, 

Or magistrate below, the one intent. 

Purpose, desire, and struggle, day and night, 

Was evermore to wrest tlie crown from off 

Messiah's head, and put it on his own ; 

And in His place give spiritual laws to men; 

To oind religion, free by birth, by God 530 

And nature free, and made accountable 

To none but God, behind the wheels of state; 

To make the holy altar, where the Prince 

Of life, incarnate, bled to ransom man, 

A footstool to the throne. For this they met, 

Assembled, counselled, meditated, planned ; 

Devised in open and secret ; and for this 

Enacted creeds of wondrous texture, creeds 

The Bible never owned, unsanctioned too, 

And reprobate in heaven ; but, by the power 540 

That made, — exerted now in gentler form. 

Monopolizing rights and privileges. 

Equal to all, and waving now the sword 

Of persecution fierce, tempered in hell, — 

Forced on the conscience of inferior men : 

The conscience, that sole monarchy in man, 

Owing allegiance to no earthly prince ; 

Made by the edict of creation free ; 

Made sacred, made above all human laws ; 

Holding of heaven alone ; of most divine 55C 

And indefeasible authority ; 

An individual sovereignty, that none 

Created might, unpunished, bind or touch , 

Unbound, save by the eternal laws of God, 

And unamenable to all below. 

Thus did the uncircumcised potentates 
Of earth debase religion in the sight 



64 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Of those they ruled, who, looking up, beheld 

The fair celestial gift despised, enslaved; 

And, mimicking the folly of the great, 560 

With prompt docility despised her too. 

The prince or magistrate, however named 
Or praised, who, knowing better, acted thus, 
Was wicked, and received, as he deserved, 
Damnation. But the unfaithful priest, what tongue 
Enough shall execrate ? His doctrine may 
Be passed, though mixed with most unhallowed leaven, 
That proved, to those who foolishly partook, 
Eternal bitterness. But this was still 
His sin, beneath what cloak soever veiled, 570 

His ever growing and perpetual sin. 
First, last, and middle thought, whence every wi.sh, 
Whence every action rose, and ended both : 
To mount to place, and power of worldly sort; 
To ape the gaudy pomp and equipage 
Of earthly state, and on his mitred brow 
To place a royal crown. For this he sold 
The sacred truth to him who most would give 
Of titles, benefices, honours, names; 
For this betrayed his Master ; and for this 580 

Made merchandise of the immortal souls 
Committed to his care. This was his sin. 



Of all who office held unfairly, none 
Could plead excuse ; he least and last of all. 
By solemn, awful ceremony, he 
Was set apart to speak the truth entire, 
By action and by word ; and round him stood 
The people, from his lips expecting knowledge. 
One day in seven, the Holy Sabbath termed, 
They stood ; for he had sworn, in face of God 590 

And man, to deal sincerely with their souls ; 
To preach the gospel for the gospel's sake ; 
Had sworn to hate and put away all pride, 
All vanity, all love of earthly pomp ; 
To seek all mercy, meekness, truth, and grace -, 



BOOK II. 65 

And being so endowed himself, and taught, 

In them hke workb of holiness to move ; 

Dividing faithfully the word of life. 

And oft indeed the word of life he taught; 

But practising as thou hast heard, who could 600 

Believe ? Thus was Religion wounded sore 

At her own altars, and among her friends. 

The people went away, and, like the priest, 

Fulfilling what tiie prophet spoke before, 

For honour strove, and wealth, and place, as if 

The preacher had rehearsed an idle tale. 

The enemies of God rejoiced, and loud 

The unbeliever laughed, boasting a life 

Of fairer character than his who owned, 

For king and guide, the undefiled One. GIO 

Most guilty, villanous, dishonest man 1 
Wolf in the clothing of the gentle lamb ! 
Dark traitor in Messiah's holy camp ! 
Leper in saintly garb ! assassin masked 
In Virtue's robe ! vile hypocrite accursed ' 
I strive in vain to set his evil forth ! 
The words that should sufficiently accurse 
And execrate such reprobate, had need 
Come glowing from the lips of eldest hell. 
Among the saddest in the den of wo, 620 

Thou sawst him saddest, 'mong the damned most 
damned. 

But why should I with indignation burn. 
Not well beseeming here, and long forgot.'* 
Or why one censure for another's sin ? 
Each had his conscience, each his reason, will. 
And understanding, for himself to search. 
To choose, reject, believe, consider, act. 
And God proclaimed from heaven, and by an oath 
Confirmed, that each should answer for himself- 
And as his own peculiar work should be, 630 

Done by his proper self, should live or die. 
6# 



66 THE COURSE OF TllME. 

But sin, deceitful and deceiving still, 

Had gained the heart, and reason led astray. 

A strange belief, that leaned its idiot back 
On folly's topmost twig, — belief that God, 
Most wise, had made a world, had creatures made, 
Beneath his care to govern and protect, — 
Devoured its thousands. Reason, not the true, 
Learned, deep, sober, comprehensive, sound; 
But bigoted, one-eyed, short-sighted Reason, 640 

Most zealous, and sometimes, no doubt, sincere. 
Devoured its thousands. Vanity to be 
Renowned for creed eccentrical, devoured 
Its thousands; but a lazy, corpulent, 
And over-credulous faith, that leaned on all 
It met, nor asked if 'twas a reed or oak ; 
Stepped on, but never earnestly inquired 
Whether to heaven or hell the journey led. 
Devoured its tens of thousands, and its hands 
Made reddest in the precious blood of souls. 650 

In Time's pursuits men ran till out of breath. 
The astronomer soared up, and counted stars. 
And gazed, and gazed upon the heaven's bright face, 
Till he dropped down dim-eyed into the grave. 
The numerist, in calculations deep. 
Grew gray. The merchant at his desk expired. 
The statesman hunted for another place, 
Till death o'ertook him, and made him his prey. 
The miser spent his eldest energy 
In grasping for another mite. The scribe 660 

Rubbed pensively his old and withered brow, 
Devising new impediments to hold 
In doubt the suit that threatened to end too soon. 
The priest collected tithes, and pleaded rights 
Of decimation to the very last. 
In science, learning, all philosophy. 
Men laboured all their days, and laboured hard, 
And, dying, sighed how little they had done. 



BOOK II. 67 

But in religion, they at once grew wise. 

A creed in print, though never understood; 670 

A theologic system on the shelf, 

Was spiritual lore enough, and served their turn; 

But served it ill. They sinned, and never knew. 

For what the Bible said of good and bad, 

Of holiness and sin, they never asked. 

Absurd, prodigiously absurd, to think 
That man's minute and feeble faculties. 
Even in the very childhood of his being, 
With mortal shadows dimmed and wrapped around. 
Could comprehend at once the mighty scheme, 680 
Where rolled the ocean of eternal love ; 
Where wisdom infinite its master-stroke 
Displayed ; and where omnipotence, oppressed, 
Did travail in the greatness of its strength ; 
And everlasting Justice lifted up 
The sword to smite the guiltless Son of God ; 
And Mercy smiling bade the sinner go ! 
Redemption is the science and the song 
Of all eternity. Archangels, day 

And night, into its glories look. The saints, 690 

The elders round the Throne, old in the years 
Of heaven, examine it perpetually ; 
And, every hour, get clearer, ampler views 
Of right and wrong; see virtue's beauty more; 
See vice more utterly depraved and vile ; 
And this, with a more perfect hatred, hate ; 
That daily love with a more perfect love. 

But whether I for man's perdition blame 
Office administered amiss, pursuit 
Of pleasure false, perverted reason blind, 700 

Or indolence that ne'er inquired ; I blame 
Effect and consequence, the branch, the leaf. 
Who finds the fount and bitter root, the first 
And guiltiest cause whence sprung this endless wo, 
Must deep descend into the human heart, 
And find it there. Dread passion ! making men 
On earth, and even in hell, if Mercy yet 



68 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Would stoop so low, unwilling to be saved, 

If saved by grace of God. Hear, then, in brief, 

What peopled hell, what holds its prisoners there. 710 

Pride, self-adoring pride, was primal cause 
Of all sin passed, all pain, all wo to come. 
Unconquerable pride ! first, eldest sin. 
Great fountain-head of evil ! highest source, 
Whence flowed rebellion 'gainst the Omnipotent, 
Whence hate of man to man, and all else ill. 
Pride at the bottom of the human heart 
Lay, and gave root and nourishment to all 
That grew above. Great ancestor of vice ! 
Hate, unbelief, and blasphemy of God ; 720 

Envy and slander, malice and revenge ; 
And murder, and deceit, and every birth 
Of damned sort, was progeny of pride.^ 
It was the ever-moving, acting force, * 
The constant aim, and the most thirsty wish * 

Of every sinner unrenewed, to be 
A god ; in purple or in rags, to have 
Himself adored. Whatever shape or form 
His actions took, whatever phrase he threw 
About his thoughts, or mantle o'er his life, 730 

To be the highest, was the inward cause 
Of all ; the purpose of the heart to be 
Set up, admired, obeyed. But who would bow 
The knee to one who served and was dependent 
Hence man's perpetual struggle, night and day, 
To prove he was his own proprietor. 
And independent of his God ; that what 
He had might be esteemed his own, and praised 
As such. He laboured still, and tried to stand 
Alone, unpropped, to be obliged to none ; 740 

And in the madness of his pride, he bade 
His God farewell, and turned away to be 
A god himself; resolving to rely. 
Whatever came, upon his own right hand. 

O desperate frenzy ! madness of the will ! 
And drunkenness of the heart ! that naught could quench 



BOOK II. 69 

But floods of wo, poured from the sea of wrath. 

Behind which mercy set. To think to turn 

The back on hfe original, and live ! 

The creature to set up a rival throne 750 

In the Creator's realm ! to deify 

A worm ! and in the sight of God be proud ! 

To lift an arm of flesh against the shafts 

Of the Omnipotent, and, midst his wrath, 

To seek for happiness ! — insanity 

Most mad ! guilt most complete ! Seest thou those 

worlds 
That roll at various distance round the throne 
Of God, innumerous, and fill the calm 
Of heaven with sweetest harmony, when saints 
And angels sleep ? As one of these, from love 760 
Centripetal withdrawing, and from light. 
And heat, and nourishment cut off, should rush 
Abandoned o'er the line that runs between 
Create and increate, from ruin driven 
To ruin still, through the abortive waste ; 
So pride from God drew off the bad ; and so, 
Forsaken of him, he lets them ever try 
Their single arm against the second death ; 
Amidst vindictive thunders lets them try 
The stoutness of their hearts, and lets them try 770 
To quench their thirst amidst the unfading fire ; 
And to reap joy where he has sown despair ; 
To walk alone, unguided, unbemoaned. 
Where Evil dwells, and Death, and moral Nigh^ 
In utter emptiness to find enough ; 
In utter dark find light; and find repose, 
Where God with tempest plagues for evermore. 
For so they wished it, so did pride desire. 

Such was the cause that turned so many off 
Rebelliously from God, and led them on 780 

From vain to vainer still, in endless chace. 
And such the cause that made so many cheeks 
Pale, and so many knees to shake, when men 
Rose from the grave ; as thou shalt hear anon. 



COURSE OF TIME 



3Sao«: ££». 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK lU. 

The Bard proceeds to a more full description of the " ways of 
Time," " the fond pursuits and vanities of men." Desire of 
happiness was universal in every age ; but the star of God shin- 
ing upon the only path to it was not heeded. The Bible taught 
♦,hat happiness was indissolubly connected with virtue ; that it 
was a fruit to be gathered only from the tree of holiness, up- 
rooted by the apostasy, but planted again by the Son of God, 
and nourished by the dewy influences of the Spirit. But, dis- 
regarding this, men pursued happiness in ten thousand mistaken 
routes, grasping at lying shades until the grave received them. 
Many "sweat and bled for Go/d ," most for tlie luxuries it 
bought, but some with the miser's craving avarice. Blinded 
votaries also chased the Shadow Pleasure; who, with her 
thousand changing forms and varying robes, allured to her 
thousand fatal haunts ; to the hall of giddy dance, the scene of 
inoughtless revel, the harlot's treacherous bed. Another Phan- 
tom fleeting in the mist of Time was Earthly Fame, whose 
voice of empty breath oft deceived the man of science, and tiie 
poet, the reverend divine, the simple artisan, the vain fair one, 
the haughty warrior, the proud usurper. Even the Drunkard's 
bowl and the Sceptic's holmless bark were tried in the wild 
pursuit of happiness. This was done, too, notwithstanding the 
warning voice of wisdom speaking to man loudly in the Sea- 
sons, the Day, the Night, the Grave, the Word of God ; not- 
withstanding all the pangs of Kemorse, and all the sorrows of 
Disappointment. Against these, recklefs men closed their ears 
and their hearts, until Death revealed to each his folly, and too 
late convinced him of the grand lesson of the Bible, " Eternity 
is all." 

In the description of Disappointment the Author is happily intro- 
duced, and mention made of interesting circumstances in bit 
history 



TUB 



COURSE OF TIME. 



asoofe KSfi. 



Beholdst thou yonder, on the crystal sea, 
Beneath the throne of God, an image fair, 
And in its hand a mirror large and bright? 
'Tis truth, immutable, eternal truth, 
In figure emblematical expressed. 
Before it Virtue stands, and smiling sees, 
Well pleased, in her reflected soul, no spot. 
The sons of heaven, archangel, seraph, saint, 
There daily read their own essential worth ; 
And, as they read, take place among the just; 10 

Or high, or low, each as his value seems. 
There each his certain interest learns, his true 
Capacity ; and, going thence, pursues. 
Unerringly, through all the tracts of thought, 
As God ordains, best ends by wisest means. 

The Bible held this mirror's place on earth. 
But, few would read, or, reading, saw themselves. 
The chase was after shadows, phantoms strange, 
That in the twilight walked of Time, and mocKed 
The eager hunt, escaping evermore ; 20 

Yet with so many promises and looks 
Of gentle sort, that he whose arms returned 



74 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Empty a thousand times, still stretched them out, 
And, grasping, brought them back again unlilled. 

In rapid outline thou hast heard of man. 
His death, his offered life, that life by most 
Despised, the Star of God, tiie Bible, scorned, 
That else to happiness and heaven had led, 
And saved my lyre from narrative of wo. 
Hear now more largely of the ways of Time, 30 

The fond pursuits and vanities of men. 

" Love God, love truth, love virtue, and be happy. 
These were the words first uttered in the ear 
Of every being rational made, and made 
For thought, or word, or deed accountable. 
Most men the first forgot, the second none. 
Whatever path they took, by hill or vale, 
By night or day, the universal wisli. 
The aim, and sole intent, was happiness. 
But, erring from the heaven-appointed patli, 40 

Strange tracks indeed they took through barren wastes, 
And up the sandy mountain climbing toiled. 
Which pining lay beneath the curse of God, 
And naught produced. Yet did the traveller look 
And point his eye before him greedily. 
As if he saw some verdant spot, where grew 
The heavenly flower, where sprung the well of life, 
Where undisturbed felicity reposed ; 
Though Wisdom's eye no vestige could discern, 
That Happiness had ever passed that way, 50 

Wisdom was right, for still the terms remained 
Unchanged, unchangeable, the terms on which 
True peace was given to man, unchanged as God, 
Who, in his own essential nature, binds 
Eternally to virtue happiness. 
Nor lets them part through all his universe 

Philosophy, as thou shalt hear, when she 
Shall have her praise, her praise and censure too, 



BOOK III iO 

Did much, refining and exalting man ; 

But could not nurse a single plant tliat bore 60 

True happiness. From age to age slie toiled. 

Shed from her eyes the mist that dimmed them still, 

Looked forth on man, explored the wild and tame, 

The savage and polite, the sea and land, 

And starry heavens ; and then retired far back 

To meditation's silent, shady seat ; 

And there sat pale, and thoughtfully, and vfeighed 

With wary, most exact, and scrupulous care, 

Man's nature, passions, hopes, propensities. 

Relations, and pursuits, in reason's scale ; 70 

And searched and weighed, and weighed and searched 

again, 
And many a fair and goodly volume wrote. 
That seemed well worded too, wherein were found 
Uncountable receipts, pretending each, 
If carefully attended to, to cure 
Mankind of folly, to root out the briers. 
And thorns, and weeds, that choked the growth of 

joy; 

And showing too, in plain and decent phrase. 
Which sounded much like Wisdom's, how to plant. 
To shelter, water, culture, prune, and rear 80 

The tree of happiness; and oft their plans 
Were tried ; but still the fruit was green and sour. 

Of all the trees that in Earth's vineyard grew, 
And with their clusters tempted man to pull 
And eat, one tree, one tree alone, the true 
Celestial manna bore, which filled the soul, 
The tree of holiness, of heavenly seed, 
A native of the skies ; though stunted much 
And dwarfed, by Time's cold, damp, ungenlal soil, 
And chilling winds, yet yielding fruit so pure, 90 

So nourishing and sweet, as, on his way, 
Refreshed the pilgrim; and begot desire 
Unquenchable to climb the arduous path 
To where her sister plants, in their own dime, 
Around the fount, and by the stream of life, 



76 THE COURSE OF TIMR. 

Blooming beneath the Sun that never seta, 
Bear iriut of perfect relish fully ripe. 

To plant this tree, uprooted by the fall, 
To eartii the Son of God descended, shed 
His precious blood ; and on it evermore, 100 

From off his living wings, the Spirit shook 
The dews of heaven, to nurse and hasten its growth. 
Nor was this care, this infinite expense, 
Not needed to secure the holy plant. 
To root it out. and wither it from earth, 
Hell strove with all its strength, and blew with all 
Its blasts ! and Sin, with cold, consumptive breath, 
Involved it still in clouds of mortal damp. 
Yet did it grow, thus kept, protected thus ; 
And bear the only fruit of true delight ; 110 

The only fruit worth plucking under heaven. 

But few, alas ! the holy plant could see, 
For heavy mists that Sin around it threw 
Perpetually; and few the sacrifice 
Would make, by which alone its clusters stooped, 
And came within the reach of mortal man. 
For this, of him who would approach and eat. 
Was rigorously exacted to the full : 
To tread eind bruise beneath the foot the world 
Entire ; its prides, ambitions, hopes, desires ; 120 

Its gold and all its broidered equipage ; 
To loose its loves and friendships from the heart, 
And cast them off; to shut the ear against 
Its praise, and all its flatteries abhor; 
And, having thus behind him thrown what seemed 
So good and fair, then must he lowly kneel, 
And with sincerity, in which the Eye 
Tliat slumbers not, nor sleeps, could see no lack, 
This prayer pray : " Lord, God ! thy will be done, 
Thy holy will, howe'er it cross my own." 130 

Hard labour this for flesh and blood ! too hard 
For most it seemed. So, turning, they the tree 
Derided as mere bramble that couM bear 



BOOK III. 77 

No fruit of special taste ; and so set out 

Upon ten thousand different routes to seek 

What tliey had left behind, to seek what they 

Had lost. For still as something once possessed 

And lost, true happiness appeared. All thought 

They once were iiappy ; and even while they smoked 

And panted in the chase, believed themselves 140 

More miserable to-day than yesterday, 

To-morrow than to-day. When youth complained, 

The ancient sinner shook his hoary head, 

As if he meant to say. Stop till you come 

My length, and then you may have cause to sigh. 

At twenty, cried the boy, who now had seen 

Some blemish in his joys, How happily 

Plays yonder child that busks the mimic babe, 

And gathers gentle flowers, and never sighs ! 

At forty, in the fervor of pursuit. 150 

Far on in disappointments dreary vale, 

The grave and sage-like man looked back upon 

The striplincr youth of plump unseared hope, 

Who galloped gray and briskly up behind, 

And, moaning, wished himself eighteen again. 

And he of threescore years and ten. in wnose 

Chilled eye, fatigued with gaping after hope, 

Earth's freshest verdure seemed but blasted leaves, 

Praised childhood, youth, and manhood; and denounced 

Old age alone as barren of all joy. 160 

Decisive proof that men had let\ behind 

The happiness they sought, and taken a most 

Erroneous path; since every step they took 

Was deeper mire. Yet did they onward run, 

Pursuincr Hope that danced before them still, 

And beckoned them to proceed : and with their hands, 

That shook and trembled piteously with age, 

Grasped at the Iving Shade, even till the earth 

Beneath them broke, and wrapped them in the grave. 

Sometimes indeed, when Wisdom in their ear 170 
Whispered, and with its disenchanting wand, 
Effectually touched the sorcery of their eyes, 



78 THE COURSE OF TIME, 

Directly pointing to the holy tree, 

Where grew the food they sought, they turned, surprised, 

That they had missed so long what now they found 

As one upon whose mind some new and rare 

Idea glances, and retires as quick, 

Ere memory has time to write it down ; 

Stung with the loss, into a thoughtful cast 

He throws his face, and rubs his vexed brow ; 180 

Searches each nook and corner of his soul 

With frequent care ; reflects, and re-reflects, 

And tries to touch relations that may start 

The fugitive again ; and oft is foiled ; 

Till something like a seeming chance, or flight 

Of random fancy, when expected least, 

Calls back the wandered thought, long sought in vain ; 

Then does uncommon joy fill all his mind ; 

And still he wonders, as he holds it fast, 

What lay so near he could not sooner find : 190 

So did the man rejoice, when from his eye 

The film of folly fell, and what he, day 

And night, and far and near, had idly searched, 

Sprung up before him suddenly displayed; 

So wondered why he missed the tree so long. 

But, few returned from Folly's giddy chase, 
Few heard the voice of Wisdom, or obeyed. 
Keen was the search, and various and wide, 
Without, within, along the flowery vale, 
And up the rugged cliiF, and on the top 200 

Of mountains high, and on the ocean wave. 
Keen was the search, and various, and wide, 
And ever and anon a shout was heard : 
" Ho ! here's the tree of life ! come, eat, and live !" 
And round the new discoverer quick they flocked 
In multitudes, and plucked, and with great haste 
Devoured ; and sometimes in the lips 't was sWeet, 
And promised well ; but in the belly gall. 
Yet after him that cried again, " Ho ! here's 
The tree of life !" again they ran, and pulled, 210 
And chewed again, and found it bitter still. 



BOOK 1[T. 79 

From disappointment on to disappointment, 
Year after year, age after age, pursued, 
The child, the youth, the hoary-headed man^ 
AUke pursued, and ne'er grew wise. For it 
Was folly's most peculiar attribute, 
And native act, to make experience void. 

But hastily, as pleasures tasted, turned 
To loathing and disgust, they needed not 
Even such experiment to prove them vain. 220 

In hope or in possession. Fear, alike. 
Boding disaster, stood. Over the flower 
Of fairest sort, that bloomed beneath the sun. 
Protected most, and sheltered from the storm. 
The Spectre, like a dark and thunderous cloud, 
Hung dismally, and threatened, before the hand 
Of him that wished could pull it, to descend, 
And o'er the desert drive its withered leaves ', 
Or, being pulled, to blast it unenjoyed, 
While yet he gazed upon its loveliness 230 

And just began to drink its fragrance up. 

Gold many hunted, sweat and bled for gold ; 
Waked all the night, and laboured all the day. 
And what was this allurement, dost thou asli ? 
A dust dug from the bowels of the earth, 
Which, being cast into the fire, came out 
A shining thing that fools admired, and called 
A god ; and in devout and humble plight 
Before it kneeled, the greater to the less; 
And on its altar sacrificed ease, peace, 240 

Truth, faith, integrity ; good conscience, friends, 
Love, charity, benevolence, and all 
The sweet and tender sympathies of life ; 
And, to complete the horrid murderous rite, 
And signalize their folly, offered up 
Their souls and an eternity of bliss, 
To gain them — what.'' — an hour of dreaming joy, 
A feverish hour, that hasted to be done, 
And ended in the bitterness of wo. 



80 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Most, for the luxuries it bought, the pomp, 250 
The praise, the ghtter, fashion, and renown, 
This yellow phantom followed and adored. 
But there was one in folly farther gone, 
"With eye awry, incurable, and wild, 
The laughing-stock of devils and of men, 
And by his guardian angel quite given up, — 
The miser, who with dust inanimate 
Held wedded intercourse. Ill guided wretch ! 
Thou mightst have seen him at the midnight hour. 
When good men slept, and in light winged dream32C0 
Ascended up to God, — in wasteful hall, 
"With vigilance and fasting worn to skin 
And bone, and wrapped in most debasing rags. — 
Thou mightst have seen him bending o'er his heaps, 
And holding strange communion with his gold ; 
And, as his thievish fancy seemed to hear 
The night-man's foot approach, starting alarmed, 
And in his old, decrepit, withered hand. 
That palsy shook, grasping the yellow earth 
To make it sure. Of all God made upright, 270 

And in their nostrils breathed a living soul, 
Most fallen, most prone, most earthy, most debased; 
Of all that sold Eternity for Time, 
None bargained on so easy terms with Death. 
Illustrious fool ! nay, most inhuman wretch 1 
He sat among his bags, and, with a look 
"Which hell might be ashamed of, drove the poor 
Away unalmsed, and midst abundance died, 
Sorest of evils ! died of utter want. 

Before this Shadow, in the vales of earth, 280 

Fools saw another glide, which seemed of more 
Intrinsic worth. Pleasure her name ; good name, 
Though ill applied. A thousand forms she took, 
A thousand garbs she wore , in every age 
And clime, changing, as in her votaries changed 
Desire ; but, inwardly, the same in all. 
Her most essential lineaments we trace , 
Her general features everywhere alike. 



BOOK III. 81 

Of comely form she was., and fair efface ; 
And underneath her eyelids sat a kind 290 

Of witching sorcery that nearer drew 
Whoever, with unguarded look, beheld ; 
A dress of gaudy hue loosely attired 
Her loveliness ; her air and manner frank, 
And seeming free of all disguise ; her song 
Enchanting ; and her words, which sweetly dropped, 
As honey from the comb, most large of promise, 
Still prophesying days of new delight, 
And rapturous nights of undecaying joy ; 
And in her hand, where'er she went, slie held 300 

A radiant cup that seemed of nectar full ; 
And by her side, danced fair, delusive Hope. 
The fool pursued, enamoured; and the wise, 
Experienced man, who reasoned much and thought, 
Was sometimes seen laying his wisdom down, 
And vying with the stripling in the chase. 

Nor wonder thou, for she was really fair, 
Decked to the very taste of flesh and blood, 
And many thought her sound within, and gay 
And healthy at the heart: but thought amiss. 310 

For she was full of all disease : her bones 
Were rotten ; Consumption licked her blood, and dranli 
Her marrow up ; her breath smelled mortally ; 
And in her bowels plague and fever lurked ; 
And in her very heart, and reins, and life, 
Corruption's worm gnawed greedily unseen. 

Many her haunts. Thou mightst have seen her now 
With Indolence, lolling on the mid-day couch, 
And whispering drowsy words ; and now at dawn, 
Loudly and rough, joining the sylvan horn ; 320 

Or sauntering in the park, and to the tale 
Of slander giving ear; or sitting fierce, 
Rude, blasphemous, malicious, raving, mad. 
Where fortune to the fickle die was bound. 

But chief she loved the scene of deep debauch, 
Where revelry, and dance, and frantic song, 



'82 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Disturbed the sleep of honest men ; and where 
The drunkard sat, she entered in, well pleased, 
With eye brimful of wanton mirthfulness, 
And urged him still to fill another cup. 330 

And at the shadowy twilight, in the dark 
And gloomy night, I looked, ar.d saw her come 
Abroad, arrayed in harlot's soft attire; 
And walk without in every street, and lie 
In wait at every corner, full of guile : 
And as the unwary youth of simple heart, 
And void of understanding, passed, she caught 
And kissed him, and with lips of lying said, 
I have peace-offerings with me ; I have paid 
My vows this day ; and therefore came I forth 340 
To meet thee, and to seek thee diligently, 
To seek thy face, and I have found thee here. 
My bed is decked with robes of tapestry, 
"With carved work and sheets of linen fine ; 
Perfumed with aloes, myrrh, and cinnamon. 
Sweet are stolen waters ! pleasant is the bread 
In secret eaten! the goodman is from home. 
Come, let us take our fill of love till morn 
Awake ; let us delight ourselves with loves. 
With much fair speech, she caused the youth to 
yield ; 350 

And forced him with the flattering of her tongue. 
I looked, and saw him follow to her house, 
As goes the ox to slaughter ; as the fool 
To the correction of the stocks; or bird 
That hastes into the subtle fowler's snare, 
And knows not, simple tiling, 'tis for its life. 
I saw him enter in, and heard the door 
Behind them shut ; and in the dark, still night, 
When God's unsleeping eye alone can see. 
He went to her adulterous bed. At morn 360 

I looked, and saw him not among the youths. 
I heard his father mourn, his mother weep. 
For none returned that went with her. The dead 
Were in her house, her guests in depths of hell. 



BOOK III. 83 

She wove the winding-sheet of souls, and laid 
Them in the urn of everiastino; death. 

Such was the Shadow fools pursued on earth, 
Under the name of Pleasure; iair outside. 
Within corrupted, and corruptinir still. 
Ruined and ruinous, her sure reward, 370 

Her total recompense, was still, as he, 
The bard, recorder of Earth's Seasons, sung, 
*' Vexation, disappointment, and remorse." 
Yet at her door the young and old, and some 
Who held high character among the wise, 
Together stood, and strove among themselves, 
Who first should enter, and be ruined first. 

Strange competition of immortal souls ! 
To sweat for death ! to strive for misery ! 
But think not Pleasure told her end was death. 3S0 
Even human folly then Irid paused at least. 
And given some sig.ns of hesitation ; nor 
Arrived so hot, and out of breath, at wo. 
Though contradicted every day by facts 
That sophistry itself would stumble o'er, 
And to the very teeth a liar proved. 
Ten thousand times, as if unconscious still 
Of inward blame, she stood and waved her hand, 
And pointed to her bower, and said to all 
Who passed, Take yonder flowery path, my steps 390 
Attend ; 1 lead the smoothest way to heaven ; 
This world receive as surety for the next : 
And many simple men, most simple, though 
Renowned for learning much, and wary skill, 
Believed, and turned aside, and were undone. 

Another lea.f of finished Time we turn. 
And read of fame, terrestrial fame, wliich died, 
And rose not at the resurrection morn ; 
Not that by virtue earned, the true renown, 
Begun on earth, and lasting in the skies, 400 

Worthy the lofly wish of seraphim, — 



84 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

The approbation of the Eye that sees 

The end from the beginning, sees from cause 

To most remote effect. Of it we read 

In book of God's remembrance, in the book 

Of life, from which the quick and dead were jua^ed i 

The book that hes upon the Throne, and tells 

Of glorious acts by saints and angels done; 

The record of the holy, just, and good. 

Of all the phantoms fleeting in the mist 410 

Of Time, though meagre all, and ghostly thin, 
Most unsubstantial, unessential shade 
Was earthly Fame. She was a voice alone, 
And dwelt upon the noisy tongues of men. 
She never thought, but gabbled ever on, 
Applauding most what least deserved applause. 
The motive, the result, was naught to her. 
The deed alone, though dyed in human gore. 
And steeped in widow's tears, if it stood out 
To prominent display, she talked of much, 420 

And roared around it with a thousand tongues. 
As changed the wind her organ, so she changed 
Perpetually ; and whom she praised to-day, 
Vexing his ear with acclamations loud. 
To-morrow blamed, and hissed him out of sight. 

Such was her nature, and her practice such. 
But, O ! her voice was sweet to mortal ears, 
And touched so pleasantly the strings of pride 
An.d vanity, which in the heart of man 
Were ever strung harmonious to her note, 430 

That many thought, to live without her song 
Was rather death than life. To live unknown, 
Unnoticed, unrenowned I to die unpraised, 
Unepitaphed ! to go down to the pit. 
And moulder into dust among vile worms. 
And leave no whispering of a name on earth ! — 
Such thought was cold about the heart, and chilled 
The blood. Who could endure it? who could choose, 
Without a struggle, to be swept away 



BOOK III. 85 

From all remembrance, and have part no more 440 

With living men? Philosophy failed here, 

And self-approving pride. Hence it became 

The aim of most, and main pursuit, to win 

A name, to leave some vestige as they passed, 

That following ages might discern, they once 

Had been on earth, and acted something there. 

Many the roads they took, the plans they tried. 
The man of science to the shade retired. 
And laid his head upon his hand, in mood 
Of awful though tfulness, and dived, and dived 450 
Again, deeper and deeper still, to sound 
The cause remote ; resolved, before he died, 
To make some grand discovery, by which 
He should be known to all posterity. 

And in the silent vigils of the night. 
When uninspired men reposed, the bard, 
Ghastly of countenance, and from his eye 
Oft streaming wild unearthly fire, sat up. 
And sent imagination forth, and searched 
The far and near, heaven, earth, and gloomy hell, 460 
For fiction new, for thought, unthought before ; 
And when some curious, rare idea peered 
Upon his mind, he dipped his hasty pen, 
And by the glimmering lamp, or moonlight beam 
That through his lattice peeped, wrote fondly down, 
What seemed in truth imperishable song. 

And sometimes too, the reverend divine, 
In meditation deep of holy things 
And vanities of Time, heard Fame's sweet voice 
Approach his ear ; and hung another flower, 470 

Of earthly sort, about the sacred truth ; 
And ventured whiles to mix the bitter text, 
With relish suited to the sinner's taste. 

And oft-times too, the simple hmd, who seemed 
Anibitionlesa, arrayed in humble garb, 
8 



80 THE COURSE OP TIME. 

While round him, spreading, fed his harmless flock, 

Sitting was seen, by some wild warbling brook, 

Carving his name upon his favourite staff; 

Or, in ill-favoured letters, tracin<r it 

Upon the aged tliorn, or en the face 480 

Of some conspicuous, oft-frequented stone, 

With persevering, wondrous industry ; 

And hoping, as he toiled amain, and saw 

The characters take form, some oflier wight, 

Long after he was dead and in the grave, 

Should loiter there at noon, and read his name. 

In purple some, and some in rags, stood forth 
For reputation. Some displayed a limb 
Well-fashioned ; some, of lowlier mind, a cane 
Of curious workmanship and marvellous twist. 490 
In strength some sought it, and in beauty more. 
Long, long, the fair one laboured at the glass, 
And, being tired, called in auxiliar skill. 
To have her hails, before she went abroad. 
Full spread and nicely set, to catch th.e gale 
Of praise ; and much she cauoht, and inuch deserved, 
When outward loveliness was mdex fair 
Of purity within : but oft, alas! 
The bloom was on the skin alone ; and when 
She saw, sad sight ! the roses on her cheek 500 

Wither, and heard tlie voice of Fame retire 
And die away, she heaved most piteous sighs, 
And wept most lamentable tears ; and whiles. 
In wild delirium, made rash attempt. 
Unholy mimicry of Nature's work ! 
To re-create, with frail and mortal things, 
Her withered face. Attempt how fond and vain! 
Her frame itself soon mouldered down to dust; 
And, in the land of deep forgetfulness, ^ 
Her beauty and her name were laid beside 510 

Eternal silence and the loathsome worm ; 
Into whose darkness flattery ventured not ; 
.Where none had ears to hear the voice of Fame. 



BOOK III. ' 87 

Many the roads they took, the plans they tried, 
And awful oft the wickedness they wrought. 
To be observed, some scrambled up to thrones, 
And sat in vestures dripping wet with gore. 
The warrior dipped his sword in blood, and wrote 
His name on lands and cities desolate. 
The rich bought fields, and houses built, and raised 520 
The monumental piles up to the clouds, 
And called them by their names : and, strange to tell ! 
Rather than be unknown, and pass away 
Obscurely to the grave, some, small of soul, 
That else had perished unobserved, acquired 
Considerable renown by oaths profane; 
By jesting boldly with all sacred things ; 
And uttering fearlessly whate'er occurred; 
Wild, blasphemous, perditionable thoughts, 
That Satan in them moved ; by wiser men 530 

Suppressed, and quickly banished from the mind. 

Many the roads they took, the plans they tried. 
But all in vain. Who grasped at earthly fame, 
Grasped wind ; nay worse, a serpent grasped, that thro* 
His hand slid smootlily, and was gone ; but left 
A sting behind vv^hich wrought him endless pain. 
For oft her voice was old Abaddon's lure, 
By which he charmed the foolish soul to death. 

So happiness vi^as sought in pleasure, gold, 
Renown, by many sought. But should I sing 540 
Of all the trifling race, my time, thy faith 
Would fail, of things erectly organized, 
And having rational articulate voice, 
And claiming outward brotherhood with man, 
Of him that labored sorely, in his sweat 
Smoking afar, then hurried to the wine. 
Deliberately resolving to be mad ; 
Of him who taught the ravenous bird to fly 
This way or that, thereby supremely blest ; 
Or rode in fury with the howling pack, 550 

AiFrontinff much the noble animal, 



88 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

He spurred into such company ; of him 

Who down into the bowels of the earth 

Descended deeply, to bring up the wreck 

Of some old earthen ware, which having stowed, 

With every proper care, he home returned 

O'er many a sea, and many a league of land, 

Triumphantly to show the marvellous prize ; 

And him that vexed his brain and theories built 

Of gossamer upon the brittle winds, 560 

Perplexed exceedingly why shells were found 

Upon the mountain tops, but wondering not 

Why shells were found at all, more wondrous still ! 

Of him who strange enjoyment took in tales 

Of fairy folk, and sleepless ghosts, and sounds 

Unearthly, whispering in the ear of night 

Disastrous things ; and him who still foretold 

Calamity which never came, and lived 

In terror all his days of comets rude, 

That should unmannerly and lawless drive 570 

Athwart the path of earth, and burn mankind ; 

As if the appointed hour of doom, by God 

Appointed, ere its time should come ! as if 

Too small the number of substantial ills, 

And real fears, to vex the sons of men. 

These, had they not possessed immortal souls, 

And been accountable, might have been passed 

With laughter, and forgot ; but, as it was, 

And is, their folly asks a serious tear. 

Keen was the search, and various, and wide, 580 
For happiness. Take one example more, 
So strange, that common fools looked on amazed; 
And wise and sober men together drew, 
And trembling stood ; and angels in the heavens 
Grew pale, and talked of vengeance as at hand ; — 
The sceptic's route, the unbeliever's, who, 
Despising reason, revelation, God, 
And kicking 'gainst the pricks of conscience, rushed 
Deliriously upon the bossy shield 
Of the Omnipotent; and in his heart 590 



BOOK III. 89 

Purposed to deify the idol Chance ; 

And labored hard, — oh, labor worse than naught ! — 

And toiled with dark and crooked reasoning, 

To make the fair and lovely earth, which dwelt 

In sight of Heaven, a cold and fatherless. 

Forsaken thing, that wandered on, forlorn, 

Undestined, uncompassioned, unupheld ; 

A vapour eddying in the whirl of chance, 

And soon to vanish everlastingly. 

He travailed sorely, and made many a tack, 600 

His sails oft shifting, to arrive, — dread thought! — 

Arrive at utter nothingness ; and have 

Being no more, no feeling, memory. 

No lingering consciousness that e'er he was. 

Guilt's midnight wish ! last, most abhorred thought ' 

Most desperate effort of extremest sin ! 

Others, pre-occupied, ne'er saw true Hope: 

He, seeing, aimed to stab her to the heart, 

And with infernal chymistry to wring 

The last sweet drop from Sorrow's cup of gall , 610 

To quench the only ray that cheered the earth, 

And leave mankind in night which liad no star. 

Others the streams of Pleasure troubled ; he 

Toiled much to dry her very fountain head. 

Unpardonable man I sold under sin ! 

He was the devil's pioneer, who cut 

The fences down of Virtue, sapped her walls, 

And opened a smooth and easy way to death. 

Traitor to all existence, to all life ! 

Soul-suicide ! determined foe of being, 620 

Intended murderer of God, Most High ! 

Strange road, most strange ! to seek for happiness ! 

Hell's mad-houses are full of such, too fierce, , 

Too furiously insane, and desperate. 

To rage unbound 'mong evil spirits damned. 

Fertile was earth in many things, not least 
In fools, who mercy both and judgment scorned, 
Scorned love, experience scorned, and onward rushed 
To swift destruction, giving all reproof, 



90 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And all instruction, to the winds} and much 630 

Of both they had, and much despised of both. 

Wisdom took up her harp, and stood in place 
Of frequent concourse, stood in every gate, 
By every way, and walked in every street; 
And, lifting up her voice, proclaimed : *' Be wise, 
Ye fools ! be of an understanding heart ; . 
Forsake the wicked, come not near his house. 
Pass by, make haste, depart and turn away. 
Me follow, me, whose ways are pleasantness, 
Whose paths are peace, whose end is perfect joy." 640 
The Seasons came and went, and went and came, 
To teach men gratitude ; and as they passed. 
Gave warning of the lapse of Time, that else 
Had stolen unheeded by. The gentle Flowers, 
Retired, and, stooping o'er the wilderness, 
Talked of humility, and peace, and love. 
The Dews came down unseen at evening-tide. 
And silently their bounties shed, to teach 
Mankind unostentatious charity. 

With arm in arm the forest rose on high, 650 

And lesson gave of brotherly regard. 
And, on the rugged mountain-brow exposed. 
Bearing the blast alone, the ancient oak 
Stood, lifting high his mighty arm, and still 
To courage in distress exhorted loud. 
The flocks, the herds, the birds, the streams, the breeze, 
Attuned the heart to melody and love. 
Mercy stood in the cloud, v/ith eye that Vv^cpt 
Essential love; and, from her glorious bow, 
Bending to kiss the earth in token of peace, 660 

With her own lips, her gracious lips, which God 
Of sweetest accent made, she whispered still. 
She whispered to Revenge, Forgive, forgive. 
The Sun, rejoicing round the earth, announced 
Daily the wisdom, power, and love of God. 
The Moon awoke, and from her maiden face. 
Shedding her cloudy locks, looked meekly forth, 
And with her virgin Stars walked in the heavens, 



BOOK III. - 91 

Walked nightly there, conversing as she walked, 

Of purity, and holiness, and God. 670 

In dreams and visions, sleep instructed much. 

Day uttered speech to day, and night to night 

Taught knowledge. Silence had a tongue ; the grave. 

The darkness, and the lonely waste, had each 

A tongue, that ever said, Man ! think of God ! 

Think of thyself ! think of eternity ! 

Fear God, the thunders said ; Fear God, the waves. 

Fear God, the lightning of the storm replied. 

Fear God, deep loudly answered back to deep : 

And, in the temples of the Holy Or 3, 670 

Messiah's messengers, the faithful few, 

Faithful 'mong many false, the Bible opened. 

And cried, Repent ! repent, ye sons of men I 

Believe, be saved ; and reasoned awfully 

Of temperance, righteousness, and judgment soon 

To come, of ever-during life and deatli : 

And chosen bards from age to age awoke 

The sacred lyre, and full on Folly's ear. 

Numbers of righteous indignation poured: 

And God, omnipotent, when mercy failed, 690 

Made bare his holy arm, and with the stroke 

Of vengeance smote; the fountains of the deep 

Broke up, heaven's windows opened, and sent on men 

A flood of wrath, sent plague and famine forth ; 

With earthquake rocked the world beneath, with 

storms 
Above laid cities waste, and turned fat lands 
To barrenness, and with the sword of war 
In fury marched, and gave them blood to drink. 
Angels remonstrated, Mercy beseeched, 
Heaven smiled and frowned. Hell groaned, Time fled 

Death shook 700 

His dart, and threatened to make repentance vain, — 
Incredible assertion ! men rushed on 
Determinedly to ruin ; shut their ears, 
Their eyes, to all advice, to all reproof; 
O'er mercy and o'er judgment, downward rushed 
To misery; and, — mosf incredible 



92 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Of all ! — to misery rushed, along the way 

Of disappointment and remorse, where still, 

At every step, adders, in pleasure's form, 

Stung mortally ; and Joys, — whose bloomy cheeks? 10 

Seemed glowing high with immortality. 

Whose bosoms prophesied superfluous bliss, — 

While in the arms received, and locked in close 

And riotous embrace, turned pale, and cold. 

And died, and smelled of putrefaction rank ; 

Turned, in the very moment of delight, 

A loathsome, heavy corpse, that with the clear 

And hollow eyes uf death, stared horribly. 

All tribes, all generations of the earth, 
Thus wantonly to ruin drove alike. 720 

We heard indeed of golden and silver days, 
And of primeval innocence unstained ; 
A pagan tale ! but by baptized bards. 
Philosophers, and statesmen, who were still 
Held wise and cunning men, talked of so much, 
That most believed it so, and asked not why. 

The pair, the family first made, were ill ; 
And for their great peculiar sin, incurred 
The Curse, and left it due to all their race ; 
And bold example gave of every crime, 7C0 

Hate, murder, unbelief, reproach, revenge. 
A time, 'tis true, there came, of which thou soon 
Shalt hear, the Sabbath Day, the Jubilee 
Of earth, when righteousness and peace prevailed. 
This time except, who writes the history 
Of men, and writes it true, must write them bad; 
Who reads, must read of violence and blood. 
The man, who could the story of one day 
Peruse, the wrongs, oppressions, cruelties, 
Deceits, and perjuries, and vanities, 7-10 

Rev/arded worthlessness, rejected worth, 
Assassinations, robberies, thefts, and wars, 
Disastrous accidents, life thrown away, 
Divinity insulted. Heaven desjftsed, 



BOOK III. 93 

Religion scorned, — and not been sick at night, 
And sad, — had gathered greater store of»mirtli, 
Than ever wise man in the world could find. 

One cause of folly, one especial cause. 
Was this : Few knew what wisdom was, though well 
Defined in God's own words, and printed large, 750 
On heaven and earth in characters of light, 
And sounded in the ear by every wind. 

Wisdo-m is humble, said the voice of God. 
'Tis proud, the world replied. Wisdom, said God, 
Forgives, forbears, and suffers, not for fear 
Of man, but God. Wisdom revenges, said 
The world; is quick and deadly of resentment, 
Thrusts at the very shadow of affront. 
And hastes, by death, to wipe its honour clean. 
Wisdom, said God, loves enemies, entreats, 760 

Solicits, begs for peace. Wisdom, replied 
The world ; hates enemies, will not ask peace. 
Conditions spurns, and triumphs in their fall. 
Wisdom mistrusts itself, and leans on Heaven, 
Said God. It trusts and leans upon itself. 
The world replied. Wisdom retires, said God, 
And counts it bravery to bear reproach, 
And shame, and lowly poverty, upright; 
And weeps with all who have just cause to weep. 
Wisdom, replied the world, struts forth to gaze, 770 
Treads the broad stage of life with clamorous foot, 
Attracts all praises, counts it bravery 
Alone to wield the sword, and rush on death; 
And never weeps, but for its own disgrace. 
Wisdom, said God, is highest, when it stoops 
Lowest before the Holy Throne ; throws down 
Its crown, abased ; forgets itself, admires, 
And breathes adoring praise. There Wisdom stoops, 
Indeed, the world replied, there stoops, because 
It must, but stoops with dignity ; and thinks 780 

And meditates the while of inward worth. 



94 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Thus did Almighty God, and thus the world, 
Wisdom defiae : and most the world believed, 
And boldly called the truth of God a lie. 
Hence, he that to the worldly wisdom shaped 
His character, became the favourite 
Of men, was lionourable termed, a man 
Of spirit, noble, glorious, lofty soul ! 
And as he crossed the earth in chase of dreams, 
Received prodigious shouts of warm applause. 790 
Hence, who to godly wisdom framed his life, 
Was counted mean, and spiritless, and vile ; 
And as he walked obscurely in the path 
Which led to heaven, fools hissed with serpent tongue, 
And poured contempt upon his holy head, 
And poured contempt on all who praised his name. 

But false as this account of wisdom was. 
The world's I mean, it was its best, the creed 
Of sober, grave, and philosophic men, 
With much research and cogitation framed, 800 

Of men who with the vulgar scorned to sit. 

The popular belief seemed rather worse. 
When heard replying to the voice of truth. 

The wise man, said the Bible, walks with God j 
Surveys, far on, the endless line of life ; 
Values his soul, thinks of eternity, 
Both worlds considers, and provides for both ; 
With Reason's eye his passions guards; abstains 
From evil ; lives on hope, on hope, the fruit 
Of faith; looks upward, purifies his soul, 810 

Expands his wings, and mounts into the sky; 
Passes tiie sun, and gains his father's house. 
And drinks with angels from the fount of bliss. 

The multitude aloud replied, — replied 
By practice, for they were not bookish men. 
Nor apt to form their principles in words, — 
The wise man, first of all, eradicates, 



BOOK III. 95 

As much as possible, from out his mind, 

All thought of death, God, and eternity ; 

Admires the world, and tliinks of Time alone ; 820 

Avoids the Bible, all reproof avoids ; 

Rocks Conscience, if he can, asleep; puts out 

The eye of Reason, prisons, tortures, binds, 

And makes her thus, by violence and force, 

Give wicked evidence against herself; 

Lets passion loose, the substance leaves, pursues 

The shadow vehemently, but ne'er o'ertakes; 

Puts by the cup of holiness and joy ; 

And drinks, carouses deeply, in the bowl 

Of death; grovels in dust, pollutes, destroys, 830 

His soul ; is miserable to acquire 

More misery ; deceives to be deceived ; 

Strives, labours to the last, to shun the truth ; 

Strives, labours to the last, to damn himself; 

Turns desperate, shudders, groans, blasphemes, and dies, 

And sinks — where could he else ? — to endless wo"* 

And drinks the wine of God's eternal wrath. 

The learned thus, and thus the unlearned world, 
Wisdom defined. In sound they disagreed ; 
In substance, in effect, in end, the same ; 840 

And equally to God and truth opposed. 
Opposed as darkness to the light of heaven. 
Yet were there some, that seemed well-meaning men, 
Who systems planned, expressed in supple words, 
Wliich praised the man as wisest, that in one 
United both ; pleased God, and pleased the world; 
And with the saint, and with the sinner, had, 
Changing his garb, unseen, a good report. 
And many thought their definition best ; 
And in their wisdom grew exceeding wise. 850 

Union abhorred ! dissimulation vain ! 
Could Holiness embrace the harlot Sin .'' 
Could life wed death .? Could God with Mammon 

dwell ? 
Oh, foolish men ! oh, men for ever lost '. 



yb THE COURSE OF TIME. 

In spite of mercy lost, in spite of v/rath ! 
In spite of Disappointment and Remorse, 
Which made the way to ruin, ruinous ! 

Hear what they were : The progeny of Sin, 
Alike, and oft combined ; but dilisring much 
In mode of giving pain. As felt the gross, 860 

Material part, when in the furnace cast, 
So felt the soul, the victim of Remorse. 
It was a fire which on the verge of God"s 
Commandments burned, and on the vitals fed 
Of all who passed. Who passed, there met Remorse, 
A violent fever seized his soul ; the heavens 
Above, the earth beneatii, seemed glowing brass, 
Heated seven times ; he heard dread voices speak, 
And mutter horrid prophecies of pain. 
Severer and severer yet to come ; 870 

And as he writhed and quivered, scorched within, 
The Fury round his torrid temples flapped 
Her fiery wings, and breathed upon his lips 
And parched tongue the withered blasts of hell. 
[t was the suffering begun, thou sawst 
In symbol of the Worm that never dies. 

The other, Disappointment, rather seemed 
Negation of delight. It was a thing 
Sluggish and torpid, tending towards death. 
Its breath was cold, and made the sportive blood 880 
Stagnant, and dull, and heavy, round the wheels 
Of life. The roots of that whereon it blew. 
Decayed, and with the genial soil no more 
Held sympathy ; the leaves, the branches drooped, 
And mouldered slowly down to formless dust ; 
Not tossed and driven by violence of winds. 
But withering where they sprung, and rotting there. 
Long disappointed, disa])pointed still, 
The hopeless man, hopeless in his main wish, 
As if returning back to nothing, felt; 890 

In strange vacuity of being hung. 
And rolled and rolled his eye on emptiness, 
That seemed to grow more empty every hour. 



BOOK III. 97 

One of this mood I do remember well 
We name him not, — what now are earth ly aaiiies ' — 
In humble dwelling born, retired, remote 
In rural quietude, mong hills, and streams. 
And melancholy deserts, \vhere the Sun 
Saw, as he passed, a shepherd only, here 
And there, watching his little flock, or heard 900 

The ploughman talking to his steers ; his hopes, 
His morning hopes, awoke before him, smiling. 
Among the dews and holy mountain airs ; 
And fancy coloured them with every hue 
Of heavenly loveliness. But soon his dreams 
Of childhood fled away, those rainbow dreams, 
So innocent and fair, that withered Age, 
Even at the grave, cleared up his dusty eye, 
And, passing all between, looked fondly back 
To see them once again, ere he departed : 910 

These fled away, and anxious thought, that wished 
To go, yet whither knew not well to go, 
Possessed his soul, and held it still awhile. 
He listened, and heard from far the voice of fame, 
Heard and was charmed; and deep and sudden vow 
Of resolution, made to be renowned ; 
And deeper vowed again to keep his vow. 
His parents saw, his parents, whom God made 
Of kindest heart, saw, and indulged his hope. 
Tlie ancient page he turned, read much, though* 
much, 920 

And with old bards of honourable name 
Measured his soul severely ; and looked up 
To fame, ambitious of no second place. 
Hope grew from inward faith, and promised fair. 
And out before him opened many a path 
Ascending, where the laurel highest waved 
Her branch of endless green. He stood admiring, 
But stood, admired, not long. The harp he seized, 
The harp he loved, loved better than his life, 
The harp which uttered deepest notes, and held 930 
The ear of thought a captive to its song. 
He seaxched and meditated much, and whiles, 
9 



Ho THE COURSE OF TIME. 

With rapturous hand, in secret, touched the lyre, 
Aiming at glorious strains } and searched again 
For theme deserving of immortal verse ; 
Chose now, and now refused, unsatisfied; 
Pleased, then displeased, and hesitating still. 

Thus stood his mind, when round him came a cloud 
Slowly and heavily it came, a cloud 
Of ills, we mention not. Enough to say, 940 

'Twas cold, and dead, impenetrable gloom. 
He saw its dark approach, and saw his hopes, 
One after one, put out, as nearer still 
It drew his soul ; but fainted not at first, 
Fainted not soon. He knew the lot of man 
Was troubled, and prepared to bear the worst ; 
Endure whate'er should come, without a sigh 
Endure, and drink, even to the very dregs. 
The bitterest cup that Time could measure out ; 
And, having done, look up, and ask for more. 950 

He called philosophy, and with his heart 
Reasoned. He called religion too, but called 
Reluctantly, and therefore was not heard. 
Ashamed to be o'ermatched by earthly woes. 
He sought, and sought, with eye that dimmed apace, 
To find some avenue to light, some place 
On which to rest a hope ; but sought in vain. 
Darker and darker still the darkness grew. 
At length he sunk, and Disappointment stood 
His only comforter, and mournfully 960 

Told all was passed. His interest in life, 
In being, ceased : and now he seemed to feel, 
And shuddered as he felt, his powers of mind 
Decaying in the spring-time of his day. 
The vigorous, weak became, the clear, obscure. 
Memory gave up her charge. Decision reeled. 
And from her flight. Fancy returned, returned 
Because she found no nourishment abroad. 
The blue heavens withered, and the moon, and sun, 
And all the stars, and the gretn earth, and morn 970 



BOOK III. 99 

And evening, withered ; and the eyes, and, smiles, 

And faces, ot'all men and women, withered ; 

Withered to him ; and all the universe, 

Like something which had been, appeared ; but now 

Was dead and mouldering fast away. He tried 

Wo more to hope, wished to forget his vow. 

Wished to forget his harp ; then ceased to wish. 

That was his last. Enjoyment now was done. 

He had no hope, no wish, and scarce a fear. 

Of being sensible, and sensible 980 

Of loss, he as some atom seemed, which God 

Had made superfluously, and needed not 

To build creation with ; but back again 

To nothing threw, and left it in the void, 

With everlasting sense that once it was. 

Oh ! who can tell what days, what nights, lie spent, 
Oftideless, waveless, sailless, shoreless wo! 
And who can tell how many, glorious once, 
To others and themselves of promise full. 
Conducted to tliis pass of human thought, 990 

This wilderness of intellectual death, 
Wasted and pined, and vanished from the earth, 
Leaving no vestige of memorial there ! 

It was not so with him. When thus he lay. 
Forlorn of heart, withered and desolate. 
As leaf of Autumn, which the wolfish winds, 
Selecting from its falling sisters, chase. 
Far from its native grove, to lifeless wastes, 
And leave it there alone, to be forgotten 
Eternally, God passed in mercy by, — lOOO 

His praise be ever new ! — and on him breathed, 
And bade him live, and put into his hands 
A holy harp, into his lips a song. 
That rolled its numbers dov/n the tide of Time : 
Ambitious now but little, to be praised 
Of men alone ; ambitious most, to be 
Approved of God, the Judge of all ; and have 
His name recorded in the book of life. 



100 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Such things were Disappointment and Remorse. 
And ofl united both, as friends severe, 1010 

To teach men wisdom 5 but the fool, untaught, 
Was fooUsh still. His ear he stopped, his eyes 
He shut, and blindly, deafly obstinate. 
Forced desperately his way from wo to wo. 

One place, one only place, there was on earth, 
Where no man e'er was fool, however mad. 
" Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die." 
Ah ! 'twas a truth most true ; and sung in Time, 
And to the sons of men, by one well known 
On earth for lofty verse and lofty sense. 1020 

Much hast thou seen, fair youth, much heard 5 but thou 
Hast never seen a death bed, never heard 
A dying groan. Men saw it often. ' Twas sad, 
To all most sorrowful and sad ; to guilt, 
' Twas anguish, terror, darkness, without bow. 
But, oh ! it had a most convincing tongue, 
A potent oratory, that secured 
Most mute attention ; and it spoke the truth 
So boldly, plainly, perfectly distinct. 
That none the meaning could mistake, or doubt; 1030 
And had withal a disenchanting power, 
A most omnipotent and wondrous power. 
Which in a moment broke, for ever broke, 
And utterly dissolved, the charms, and spells. 
And cunning sorceries of earth and hell. 
And thus it spoke to him who ghastly lay, 
And struggled for another breath : Earth's cup 
Is poisoned ; her renown, most infamous; 
Her gold, seem as it may, is really dust; [1040 

Her titles, slanderous names ; her praise, reproach, 
Her strength, an idiot's boast; her wisdom, bhnd; 
Her gain, eternal loss ; her hope, a dream ; 
Her love, her friendship, enmity with God ; 
Her promises, a lie ; her smile, a harlot's; 
Her beauty, paint, and rotten within ; her pleasures, 
Deadly cissassins masked ; her laughter, grief; 
Her breasts, the sting of Death ; her total sum. 



BOOK III. 101 

Her all ! most utter vanity ; and all 

Her lovers mad, insane most grievously, 

And most insane because they know it not. 1050 

Thus did the mighty reasoner, Death, declare, 
And volumes more ; and in one v\^ord confirmed 
The Bible whole, Eternity is all. 
But few spectators, few believed, of those 
Who staid behind. The wisest, best of men, 
Believed not to the letter full ; but turned. 
And on the world looked forth, as if they thought 
The well-trimmed hypocrite had something still 
Of inward worth. The dying man alone, 
Gave faithful audience, and the words of Death, lOfiO 
To the last jot, believed, believed and felt ; 
But oft, alas ! believed and felt too late. 

And had Earth, then, no joys, no native sweets, 
No happiness, that one, who spoke the truth. 
Might call her own? She had; true, native sweets, 
Indigenous delights, which up the tree 
Of holiness, embracing as they grew. 
Ascended, and bore fruit of laeavenl}' taste ; 
In pleasant memory held, and talked of oft. 
By yonder Saints, who walk the golden streets 1070 
Of New Jerusalem, and compass round 
The Throne, with nearest vision blessed. Of these, 
Hereafter, thou shall hear, deliglited hear ; — 
One page of beauty in the life of man. 



COURSE OF TIME 



15 It tV 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK IV. 

Bketfthes are given by the Bard of several features in the history 
and affairs of man, which appeared wonderful. 

One singular feature was the universal love of independence 
united with lust for power, so that the essence of" earth's lib- 
erty " was, after all its praises, nothing but this ; " each sought 
to make all subject to his will j" but real liberty was the free- 
dom from sin and passion, effected by the truth and spirit of 
God. 

A wondeiful phenomenon appeared in the Christian heart. Thi? 
exhibited a scene of strangest conflicts between opposite prin- 
ciples, and inconsistent emotions. But the final victory was 
found on the side of holiness ; and the Christian, after all his 
internal struggles, and ail ihe abuse and slander of Earth, waj? 
brought in triumph to the world of glory. 

The Books composed in Time presented also an occasion of won 
der. They were numerous as the swarms of locusts sent on 
rebellious Egypt, but, like their authors, went to obliv on un- 
der the curse that returns dust to kindred dust. 

Various things in the government and providence of God, furnished 
ground of wonder among men. The origin of evil, the prede- 
termination of accountable actions, the mystery of the THnity 
and Incarnation, were subjects which Theology and Philosophy 
and Fancy toiled in vain to comprehend. 

There seemed something wondrous in the unequal distribution of 
worldly possessions and intellectual gifts. But the Providence 
of God plainly taught that He did not estimate men by their 
outward circumstances or their mere talents, but by their moral 
worth, A pertinent and affecting illustration is found in the 
history of the gifted, wretched Byron. 



THE 



COURSE OF TIME 



asooit Kv. 



TiiE world had much of strange and wonderful, 
In passion much, in action, reason, will, 
And much in Providence, which still retired 
From human eye, and led Philosophy, 
That ill her ignorance liked to own, through dark 
And dangerous paths of speculation wild. 
Some striking features, as we pass, we mark, 
In order such as memory suggests. 

One passion prominent appears, the lust 
Of power, which ofl-times took the fairer name 10 
Of liberty, and huiig the popular flag 
Of freedom out. Many, indeed, its names. 
When on the throne it sat, and round the neck 
Of millions riveted its iron chain. 
And on the shoulders of the people laid 
Burdens unmerciful, it title took 
Of tyranny, oppression, despotism ; 
And every tongue was weary cursing it. 
When in the multitude it gathered strength, 
And, like an ocean bursting from its bounds, 20 

Long beat in vain, went forth resistlessly. 
It bore the stamp and designation, then, 



lOG THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Of popular fury, anarchy, rebellion; 

And lionest men bewailed all order void; 

AH laws annulled ; all property destroyed ; 

The venerable, murdered in the streets ; 

The wise, despised ; streams, red with human blood; 

Harvests, beneath the frantic foot trod down ; 

Lands, desolate ; and famine at the door. 

These are a part ; but other names it had, 30 

Innumerous as the shapes and robes it wore. 
But under every name, in nature still 
Invariably the same, and always bad. 
We own, indeed, that oft .against itself 
It fought, and sceptre both and people gave 
An equal aid ; as long exemplified 
In Albion's isle, Albion, queen of the seas ; 
And in the struggle, something like a kind 
Of civil liberty grew up, the best 

Of mere terrestrial root; but, sickly, too, 40 

And living only, strange to tell ! in strife 
Of factions equally contending; dead. 
That very moment dead, that one prevailed. 

Conflicting cruelly against itself. 
By its own hand it fell ; part slaying part. 
And men who noticed not the suicide, 
Stood wondering much, why earth, from age to age, 
Was still enslaved ; and erring causes gave. 

This was earth's liberty, its nature this, 
However /lamed, in whomsoever found, — 50 

And found it was in all of woman born, — 
Each man to make all subject to his will ; 
To make them do, undo, eat, drink, stand, move, 
Talk, think, and feel, exactly as lie chose. 
Hence the eternal strife of brotherhoods, 
Of individuals, families, commonwealths. 
The root from which it grew was pride ; bad root, 
And bad the fruit it bore. Then wonder not, 
That long the nations from it richly reaped 



BOOK IV. 107 

Oppression, slavery, tyranny, and war ; 60 

Confusion, desolation, trouble, shame. 

And, marvellous though it seem, this monster, when 

It took the name of slavery, as ofl 

It did, had advocates to plead its cause ; 

Beings that walked erect, and spoke like men ; 

Of Christian parenftage descended, too, 

And dipped in the baptismal font, as sign 

Of dedication to the Prince who bowed 

To death, to set the sin-bound prisoner free. 

Unchristian thought ! on what pretence soe'er 70 
Of right, inherited, or else acquired ; 
Of loss, or profit, or what plea you name, 
To buy and sell, to barter, M'hip, and hold 
In chains, a being of celestial make ; 
Of kindred form, of kindred faculties, 
Of kindred feelings, passions, thoughts, desires; 
Born free, and heir of an immortal hope; 
Thouoht villanous, absurd, detestable ! 
Unworthy to be harbored in a fiend ! 
And only overreached in wickedness 80 

By that, birth, too, of earthly liberty. 
Which aimed to make a reasonable man 
By legislation think, and by the sword 
Believe. This was that liberty renowned, 
Those equal rights of Greece and Rome, where men, 
All, but a few, were bought, and sold, and scourged, 
And killed, as interest or caprice enjoined; 
In after times talked of, written of, so much. 
That most, by sound and custom led away. 
Believed the essence answered to the name. 90 

Historians on this theme were long and warm. 
Statesmen, drunk with the fumes of vain debate, 
In lofty swelling phrase, called it perfection. 
Philosophers its rise, advance, and fall, 
Traced carefully : and poets kindled still. 
As memory brouglit it up ; their Vrps were touched 
With fire, and uttered words that men adored* 
Even he, true bard of Zion, holy man ! 



108 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

To whom the Bible taught this precious verse, 
" He is the freeman whom the trutli makes free," 100 
By fashion, though by fashion little swayed. 
Scarce kept his harp from pagan freedom's praise. 

The captive prophet, whom Jehovah gave 
The future years, described it best, \Yhen he 
Beheld it rise in vision of the night : 
A dreadful beast, and terrible, and strong 
Exceedingly, with mighty iron teeth; 
And, lo, it brake in pieces, and devoured, 
And stamped the rrsidue beneath its feet ! 

True liberty wai5 Christian, sanctified, 110 

Baptized, and found in Christian hearts alone; 
First-born of Virtue, daughter of the skies. 
Nursling of truth divine, sister of all 
The graces, meekness, holiness, and love ; 
Giving to God, and man, and all below. 
That symptom showed of sensible existence, 
Their due, unasked ; fear to whom fear was due ; 
To all, respect, benevolence, and love ; 
Companion of religion, where she came. 
There freedom came; where dwelt, there freedom 
dwelt, 120 

Ruled where she ruled, expired where she expired. 

" He was the freeman whom the truth made free," 
Who, first of all, the bands of Satan broke ; 
Who broke the bands of sin ; and for his soul, 
In spite of fools, consulted seriously ; 
In spite of fashion, persevered in good; 
In spite of wealth or poverty, upright; 
Who did as reason, not as fancy, bade ; 
Who heard temptation sing, and yet turned not 
Aside ; saw Sin bedeck her flowery bed, 130 

And yet would not go up; felt at his heart 
The sword unsheathed, yet would not sell the truth ; 
Who, having power, had not the will to hurt ; 
Who blushed alike to be, or have a slave ; 



BOOK IV. 109 

Who blushed at naught but sin, feared naught but God ; 

Who, finally, in strong integrity 

Of soul, 'midst want, or riches, or disgrace, 

Uplifted, calmly sat, and heard the waves 

Of stormy folly breaking at liis feet, ("140 

Now shrill with praise, now hoarse with foul reproach, 

And both despised sincerely ; seeking this 

Alone, The approbation of his God, 

Which still with conscience witnessed to his peace. 

This, this is freedom, such as angels use, 
And kindred to the liberty of God. 
First-born of Virtue^ daugliter of the skies ! 
The man, the state, in whom she ruled, was free ; 
All else were slaves of Satan, Sin, and Death. 

Already thou hast something heard of good 
And ill, of vice and virtue, perfect each ; 150 

Of those redeemed, or else abandoned quite; 
And more shalt hear, when, at the judgment-day, 
The characters of mankind we review. 
Seems aught which thou hast heard astonishing .-* 
A greater wonder novsr thy audience asks ; 
Phenomena in all the universe. 
Of moral being most anomalous, 
Inexplicable most, and wonderful. 
I'll introduce thee to a single heart, 
A human heart. We enter not the worst, 160 

But one by God's renewing Spirit touched, 
A Christian heart, awaked from sleep of sin. 
What seest thou here .-' what markst .'' Observe it well 
Will, passion, reason, hopes, fears, joy, distress, 
Peace, turbulence, simplicity, deceit, 
Good, ill, corruption, immortality, 
A temple of the Holy Ghost, and yet 
Oft lodging fiends ; the dwelling-place of all 
The heavenly virtues, charity and truth. 
Humility, and holiness, and love ; 270 

And yet the common haunt of anger, pride. 
Hatred, revenge, and passions foul with lust; 



110 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Allied to heaven, yet parleying oft with hell ; 

A soldier listed in Messiah's band, 

Yet giving quarter to Abaddon's troops ; 

With seraphs drinking from the well of life, 

And yet carousing in the cup of death; 

An heir of heaven, and walking thitlierward, 

Yet casting back a covetous eye on earth : 

Emblem of strength, and weakness ; loving now, 180 

And now abhorring sin ; indulging now, 

And now repenting sore ; rejoicing now, 

With joy unspeakable, and full of glory; 

Now weeping bitterly, and clothed in dust; 

A man willing to do, and doing not ; 

Doing, and willing not ; embracing what 

He hates, what most he loves abandoning ; 

Half saint, and sinner half; half life, half death; 

Commixture strange of heaven, and earth, and hell. 

^ ' [190 

What seest thou here r what markst ? A battle-field, 
Two banners spread, two dreadful fronts of war 
In shock of oppos,ition fierce, engaged. 
God, angels, saw whole empires rise in arms, 
Saw kings exalted, heard them tumble down, 
And others raised, — and heeded not; but here 
God, angels, looked ; God, angels, fouglit ; and Hell, 
With all his legions, fought: here, error fought 
With truth, with darkness light, and life with death; 
And here, not kingdoms, reputations, worlds, 
Were won; the strife was for eternity, 200 

The victory was never-ending bliss, 
The badge, a chaplet from the tree of life. 

While thus, within, contending armies strove. 
Without, the Christian had his troubles too. 
For, as by God's unalterable laws. 
And ceremonial of the Heaven of Heavens, 
Virtue takes place of all, and worthiest deeds 
Sit highest at the feast of bliss ; on earth, 
The opposite was fashion's rule polite. 
Virtue the lowest place at table took, 210 



BOOK IV. Ill 

Or served, or was shut out ; the Christian still 

Was mocked, derided, persecuted, slain ; 

\nd Slander, worse than mockery, or sword, 

Or death, stood nightly by her horrid forge, 

And fabricated lies to stain his name. 

And wound his peace ; but still he had a source 

Of happiness, that men could neither give 

Nor take away. The avenues that led 

To immortality before him lay. 

He saw, with faith's far-reaching eye, the fount 220 

Of life, his Father's house, his Saviour God, 

And borrowed thence to help his present want. 

Encountered thus with enemies, without, 
Within, like bark that meets opposing winds 
And floods, this way, now that, she steers athwart, 
Tossed by the wave, and driven by the storm; 
But still the pilot, ancient at the helm, 
The harbor keeps in eye ; and after much 
Of danger passed, and many a prayer rude, 
He runs her safely in : so was the man 230 

Of God beset, so tossed by adverse winds; 
And so his eye upon the land of life 
Pie kept. Virtue grew daily stronger, sin 
Decayed; his enemies, repulsed, retired; 
Till, at the stature of a perfect man 
In Christ arrived, and with the Spirit filled, 
He gained the harbour of eternal rest. 

But think not virtue, else than dwells in God 
Essentially, was perfect, without spot. 
Examine yonder suns. At distance seen, 240 

How bright they burn ; how gloriously they shine, 
Mantling the worlds around in beamy light ! 
But nearer viewed, we through their lustre see 
Some dark behind ; so virtue was on earth, 
So is in heaven, and so shall always be. 
Though good it seem, immaculate, and fair 
Exceedingly, to saint or angel's gaze, 
The uncreated Eye, that searches all, 



112 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Sees it imperfect ; sees, but blames not; sees, 

Well pleased, and best with those who deepest dive 2^0 

Into themselves, and know themselves the most; 

Taught thence in humbler reverence to bow 

Before the Holy One ; and oflener view 

His excellence, that in them still may rise, 

And grow his likeness, growing evermore. 

Nor think that any, born of Adam's race, 
In his own proper virtue, entered heaven. 
Once fallen from God and perfect holiness, 
No being, unassisted, e'er could rise, 
Or sanctify the sin-poliuted soul. 2 CO 

Oft was the trial made, but vainly made. 
So oft as men, in earth's best livery clad. 
However fair, approached the gates of heaven, 
And stood presented to the eye of God, 
Their impious pride so oft his soul abhorred. 
Vain hope ! in patch- work of terrestrial grain, 
To be received into the courts above ! 
As vain as towards yonder suns to soar, 
On wing of waxen plumage, melting soon. 

Look round, and see those numbers infinite, 270 
That stand before the Throne, and in their hands 
Palms waving high, as token of victory 
For battles won. These are the sons of men 
Redeemed, the ransomed of the Lamb of God 
All these, and milHons more of kindred blood, 
Who now are out on messages of love. 
All these, their virtue, beauty, excellence, 
And joy, are purchase of redeeming blood; 
Their glory, bounty of redeeming love. 

O Love divine ! — Harp, lift thy voice on high ! 280 
Shout, angels ! shout aloud, ye sons of men ! 
And burn, my heart, with the eternal flame ! 
My lyre, be eloquent with endless praise ! — 
O Love divine ! immeasurable Love ! 
Stooping from heaven to earth, from earth to hell, 



BOOK IV. 113 

Without beginning, endless, boundless Love ! 

Above all asking, giving far, to those 

Who naught deserved, who naught deserved but death ' 

Saving the vilest! saving me ! O Love 

Divine ! O Saviour God ! O Lamb, once slain ! 290 

At thought of thee, thy love, thy flowing blood, 

All thoughts decay ; all things remembered fade ; 

All hopes return ; all actions done by men 

Or angels, disappear, absorbed and lost ; 

All fly, as from the great white Throne, which he, 

The prophet, saw, in vision wrapped, the heavens 

And earth, and sun, and moon, and starry host, 

Confounded, fled, and found a place no more. 

One glance of wonder, as we pass, deserve 
The books of Time. Productive was the world 300 
In many things, but most in books. Like swarms 
Of locusts, which God sent to vex a land 
Rebellious long, admonished long in vain, 
Their numbers they poured annually on man. 
From heads conceiving still. Perpetual birth ! 
Thou wonderst how the world contained them all ? 
Thy wonder stay. Like men, this was their doom, 
*' That dust ihey were, and should to dust return." 
And oft their fathers, childless and bereaved. 
Wept o'er their graves, when they themselves were 
green ; 310 

And on them fell, as fell on every age, 
As on their authors fell, oblivious Night, 
Which o'er the past lay, darkling, heavy, still, 
Liipenetrable, motionless, and sad, 
Having his dismal, leaden plumage stirred 
By no remembrancer, to show the men 
Who after came what was concealed beneath. 

The story-telling tribe, alone, outran 
All calculation far, and left behind, 
Lagging, the swiftest numbers Dreadful, even 320 
To fancy, was their never-ceasing birth ; 
And room had lacked, had not their life been short 
Excepting some, their definition take 
10* 



114 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Thou thus, expressed in gentle phrase, which leaves 

Some truth behind : A Novel was a book 

Three-volumed, and once read, and oft crammed full 

Of poisonous error, blackening every page, 

And oflener still, of trifling, second-hand 

Remark, and old, diseased, putrid thought, 

And miserable incident, at war 330 

With nature, with itself and truth at war; 

Yet charming still the greedy reader on. 

Till done, he tried to recollect his thoughts, 

And nothing found, but dreaming emptiness. 

These, like ephemera, sprung, in a day. 

From lean and shallow-soiled brains of sand. 

And in a day expired; yet, while they lived, 

Tremendous oft-times was the popular roar ; 

And cries of— Live for ever ! struck the skies. 

[340 
One kind alone remained, seen through the gloom 
And sullen shadow of the past: as lights 
At intervals they shone, and brought the eye, 
That backward travelled, upward, till arrived 
At him, who, on the hills of Midian, sang 
The patient man of Uz ; and from the lyre 
Of angels, learned the early dawn of Time. 
Not light and momentary labour these, 
But discipline and self-denial long. 
And purpose stanch, and perseverance, asked, 
And energy that inspiration seemed. 350 

Composed of many thoughts, possessing each 
Innate and underived vitality ; 
Which, having fitly shaped, and well arranged 
In brotherly accord, they builded up ; 
A stately superstructure, that, nor wind. 
Nor wave, nor shock of falling years, could move ; 
Majestic and indissolubly firm ; 
As ranks of veteran warriors in the field, 
Each by himself alone and singly seen, 
A tower of strength ; in massy phalanx knit, 360 

And in embattled squadron rushing on, 
A sea of valour, dread, invincible. 



BOOK IV. 115 

Books of this sort, or sacred, or profane, 
Which virtue helped,'were titled, not amiss, 
*'The medicine of the mind :" who read them, read 
Wisdom, and was refreshed ', and on his path 
Of pilgrimage, with healthier step advanced. 

In mind, in matter, much was difficult 
To understand. But, what in deepest night 
Retired, inscrutable, mysterious, dark, — 370 

Was evil, God's decrees, and deeds decreed, 
Responsible: why God, the just and good. 
Omnipotent and wise, should suffer sin 
To rise : why man was free, accountable; 
Yet God foreseeing, overruling all. 
Where'er the eye could turn, whatever tract 
Of moral thought it took, by reason's torch, 
Or Scripture's led, before it still this mount 
Sprung up, impervious, insurmountable. 
Above the human stature rising far ; 380 

Horizon of the mind, surrounding still 
The vision of the soul with clouds and gloom. 
Yet did they oft attempt to scale its sides, 
And gain its top. Philosophy, to climb. 
With all her vigour, toiled from age to age ; 
From age to age, Theology, with all 
Her vigour, toiled ; and vagrant Fancy toiled. 
Not weak and foolish only, but the wise, 
Patient, courageous, stout, sound-headed man, 
Of proper discipline, of excellent wind, 390 

And strong of intellectual limb, toiled hard ; 
And oft above the reach of common eye 
Ascended far, and seemed well nigh the top, 
But only seemed ; for still another top 
Above them rose, till, giddy grown and mad, 
With gazing at these dangerous heights of God, 
They tumbled down, and in their raving said. 
They o'er the summit saw. And some believed 
Believed a lie; for never man on earth. 
That mountain crossed, or saw its farther side. 400 
Around it lay the wreck of many a Sage, 



116 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Divine, Philosopher ; and many more 

Fell daily, undeterred by millions fallen ; 

Each wondering why he failed to comprehend 

God, and with finite measure infinite. 

To pass it, was no doubt desirable ; 

And few of any intellectual size, 

That did not, sometime in their day, attempt; 

But all in vain; for as the distant hill, 

Which, on the right or left, the traveller's eye 410 

Bounds, seems advancing as he walks, and oft 

He looks, and looks, and thinks to pass ; but still 

It forward moves, and mocks his baflled sight, 

Till night descends, and wraps the scene in gloom 

So did this moral height the vision mock ; 

So lifted up its dark and cloudy head. 

Before the eye, and met it evermore; 

And some, provoked, accused the righteous God. 

Accused of what ? hear human boldness now ! 

Hear guilt, hear foll}^, madness, all extreme ! 420 

Accused of what? the God of truth accused 

Of cruelty, injustice, wickedness. 

Abundant sin ! because a mortal man, 

A worm, at best, of small capacity, 

With scarce an atom of Jehovah's works 

Before him, and with scarce an hour to look 

Upon them, should presume to censure God, 

The infinite and uncreated God 1 

To sit, in judgment, on Himself, his works. 

His providence ! and try, accuse, condemn ! 430 

If there is aught, thought or to think, absurd, 

Irrational and wicked, this is more, 

This most; the sin of devils, or of those 

To devils growing fast. Wise men and good 

Accused themselves, not God ; and put their hands 

Upon their mouths, and in the dust adored. 

The Christian's faith had many mysteries too } 
The uncreated holy Three in One, 
Divine incarnate, human in divine ; 
The inward call ; the Sanctifying Dew 440 



BOOK IV. 117 

Comii.g unseen, unseen departing thence ; 

Anew creating all, and yet not lieard ; 

Compelling, yet not felt. Mysterious these, 

Not that Jehovah to conceal them wished, 

Not that religion wished. The Christian faith, 

Unlike the timorous creeds of pagan priests. 

Was frank, stood forth to view, invited all 

To prove, examine, search, investigate. 

And gave herself a light to see her by. 

Mysterious these, because too large for eye 450 

Of man, too long for human arm to mete. 

Go to yon mount, which on the north side stands 
Of New Jerusalem, and lifts its head 
Serene in glory bright, except the hill. 
The Sacred Hill of God, whereon no foot 
Must tread, highest of all creation's walks. 
And overlooking all, in prospect vast, 
From out the ethereal blue. That cliff ascend. 
Gaze thence, around thee look; naught now impedes 
Thy view ; yet still thy vision, purified 460 

And strong although it be, a boundary meets; 
Or rather, thou wilt say, thy vision fails 
To gaze throughout illijnitable space, 
And find the end of infinite : and so 
It was with all the mysteries of faith. 
God set them forth unveiled to the full gaze 
Of man, and asked him to investigate; 
But Reason's eye, however purified, 
And on whatever tall and goodly height 
Of observation placed, to comprehend 470 

Them fully, sought in vain : in vain seeks still ; 
But, wiser now and humbler, she concludes, 
From what she knows already of his love 
All gracious, that she cannot understand ; 
And gives him credit, reverence, praise for all. 

Another feature in the ways of God, 
That wondrous seemed, and made seme men complain, 
Was the unequal gift of worldly things. 



118 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Great was the difference, indeed, of men 

Externally, from beggar to the prince. 480 

The highest take and lowest, and conceive 

The scale between. A noble of the earth, 

One of its great, in splendid mansion dwelt; 

Was robed in silk and gold ; and every day 

Fared sumptuously ; was titled, honoured, served. 

Thousands his nod awaited, and his will 

For law received. Whole provinces his march 

Attended, and his chariot drew, or on 

Their shoulders bore aloft the precious man. 

Millions, abased, fell prostrate at his feet : 490 

And millions more thundered adoring praise. 

As far as eye could reach, he called the land 

His own, and added yearly to his fields. 

Like tree that of the soil took healthy root, 

He grew on every side, and towered on high, 

And over half a nation, shadowing wide. 

He spread his ample boughs. Air, earth, and sea, 

Nature entire, tlie brute, and rational, 

To please him ministered, and vied among 

Themselves, who most should his desires prevent, 500 

Watching the moving of his rising thoughts, 

Attentively, and hasting to fulfil. 

His palace rose and kissed the gorgeous clouds. 

Streams bent their music to his will, trees sprung, 

The native waste put on luxuriant robes ; 

And plains of happy cottages cast out 

Their tenants, and became a huntingrfield. 

Before him bowed the distant isles, with fruits 

And spices rare ; the South her treasures brought, 

The East and West sent ; and the frigid North 510 

Came with her offering of glossy furs. 

Musicians soothed his ear with airs select ; 

Beauty held out her arms ; and every man 

Of cunning skill, and curious device. 

And endless multitudes of liveried wights, 

His pleasure waited with obsequious look. 

And when the wants of nature were supplied, 

And common-place extravagances filled, 



BOOK IV. 119 

IJeyond their askihg ; and caprice itself, 

In all its zig-zag appetites, gorged full, 520 

The man new wants and new expenses planned; 

Nor planned alone. Wise, learned, sober men, 

Of cogitation deep, took up his case, 

And planned for him new modes of folly wild ; 

Contrived new wishes, wants, and wondrous means 

Of spending with despatch ; yet, after all, 

His fields extended still, his riches grew, 

And what seemed splendour infinite, increased. 

So lavishly upon a single man 

Did Providence his bounties daily shower. 530 

Turn now thy eye, and look on Poverty ; 
Look on the lowest of her ragged sons. 
We find him by the way, sitting in dust ; 
He has no bread to eat, no tongue to ask. 
No limbs to walk, no home, no house, no friend. 
Observe his goblin cheek, his wretched eye ; 
See how his hand, if any hand he has. 
Involuntary opens, and trembles forth. 
As comes the traveller's foot; and hear his groan, 
His long and lamentable groan, announce 540 

The want that gnaws within. Severely now 
The sun scorches and burns his old bald head, 
The frost now glues him to the chilly earth. 
On him hail, rain, and tempest, rudely beat ; 
And all the winds of heaven, in jocular mood. 
Sport with his withered rags, that, tossed about, 
Display his nakedness to passers by. 
And grievously burlesque the human form. 
Observe him yet more narrowly. His limbs, 
With palsy shaken, about him, blasted lie ; 550 

And all his flesh is full of putrid sores 
And noisome wounds, his bones, of racking pains. 
Strange vesture this for an immortal soul ! 
Strange retinue to wait a lord of earth ! 
It seems as Nature, in some surly mood, 
After debate and musing long, had tried 
How vile and miserable thing her hand 



120 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Could fabricate, then made this meagre man 

A sight so full of perfect misery, 

That passengers their faces turned away, 560 

And hasted to be gone; and delicate 

And tender women took another path. " 

This great disparity of outward things 
Taught many lessons ; but this taught in chief, 
Though learned by few : That God no value set. 
That man should none, on goods of worldlj' kind ! 
On transitory, frail, external things. 
Of migratory, ever-changing sort : 
And further taught, that in the soul alone, 
The thinking, reasonable, willing soul, 570 

God placed the total excellence of man ; 
And meant him evermore to seek it there 

But stranger still the distribution seemea 
Of intellect, though fewer here complained, 
Each with his share, upon the whole, content. 
One man there was — and many such you might 
Have met — who never had a dozen tlioughts 
In all his life, and never changed their course ; 
But told them o'er, each in its customed place. 
From morn till night, from youth to hoary age. 580 
Little above the ox that grazed the field. 
His reason rose ; so weak his memory. 
The name his mother called him by, he scarce 
Remembered ; and his judgment so untaught. 
That what at evening played along the swamp, 
Fantastic, clad in robe of fiery hue, 
He thought the devil in disguise, and fled 
With quivering heart and winged footsteps home. 
The word philosophy he never heard, 
Or science; qever heard of liberty, 590 

Necessity, or laws of gravitation ; 
And never had an unbelieving doubt. 
Beyond his native vale he never looked ; 
But thought the visual line, that girt him round, 
The world's extreme ; and thought the silver Moon, 



BOOK IV. 121 

I /lat nightly o'er him led her virgin host, 

No broader than his father's shield. He lived, — 

Lived where his father lived, died where he died, 

Lived happy, and died happy, and was saved. 

fie not surprised. He loved and served his God. 600 

There was another, large of understanding, 
Of memory infinite, of judgment deep, 
Who knew all learning, and all science knew ; 
And all phenomena, in heaven and earth. 
Traced to their causes ; traced the labyrinths 
Of thought, association, passion, will; 
And all the subtle, nice affinities 
Of matter traced, its virtues, motions, laws; 
And most familiarly and deeply talked 
Of mental, moral, natural, divine. 610 

Leaving the earth at will, he soared to heaven, 
And read the glorious visions of the skies; 
And to the music of the rolling spheres 
Intelligently listened ; and gazed far back 
Into the awful depths of Deity ; 
Did all that mind assisted most could do ; 
And yet in misery lived, in misery died, 
Because he wanted holiness of heart. 

A deeper lesson this to mortals taught. 
And nearer cut the branches of their pride, 620 

That not in mental, but in moral worth, 
God excellence placed ; and only to the good, 
To virtue, granted happiness, alone. 

Admire the goodness of Almighty God ! 
He riches gave, he intellectual strength. 
To few, and therefore none commands to be 
Or rich, or learned ; nor promises reward 
Of peace to these. On all, He moral worth 
Bestowed, and moral tribute asked from all. 
And who that could not pay .? who born so poor, 630 
Of intellect so mean, as not to know 
What seemed the best ; and, knowing, might not dor 
11 



122 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

As not to know what God and conscience bade, 
And what they bade not able to obey ? 
And he, who acted thus, fulfilled the law 
Eternal, and its promise reaped of peace ; 
Found peace this way alone : wlio sought it else, 
Sought mellow grapes beneath the icy i'*ole, 
Sought blooming roses on the cheek of death, * 
Sought substance in a world of fleeting shades. 640 

Take one example, to our purpose quite. 
A man of rank, and of capacious soul. 
Who riches had and fame, beyond desire, 
An heir of flattery, to titles born, 
And reputation and luxurious life : 
Yet not content with ancestorial name. 
Or to be known because his fathers were, 
He on this height hereditary stood. 
And, gazing higher, purposed in his heart 
To take another step. Above him seemed, 650 

Alone, the mount of sonof, the lofty seat 
Of canonized bards; and thitherward. 
By nature taught, and inward melody. 
In prime of youth, he bent his eagle eye. 
No cost was spared. What books he wished, he read; 
What sage to hear, he heard ; what scenes to see, 
He saw. And first in rambling school-boy days 
Britannia's mountain-walks, and heath-girt lakes, 
And story-telling glens, and founts, and brooks, 
And maids, as dew-drops pure and ftir, his soul 660 
With grandeur filled, and melody, and love. 
Then travel came, and took him where he wished. 
He cities saw, and courts, and princely pomp ; 
And mused alone on ancient mountain-brows ; 
And mused on battle-fields, where valour fought 
In other days; and mused on ruins grey 
With years ; and drank from old and fabulous wells. 
And plucked the vine that first-born prophets plucked; 
And mused on famous tombs, and on the wave 
Of Ocean mused, and on the desert waste ; 670 

The heavens and earth of every country saw. 



BOOK IV. 133 

Where'er the old inspiring Genii dwelt, 
Aught that could rouse, expand, refine the soul, 
Thither he went, and meditated there. 

He touched his harp, and nations hoard, entranced. 
As some vast river of unfailing source. 
Rapid, exhaustless, deep, his numbers flowed, 
And opened new fountains in the human heart. 
Where Fancy halted, weary in her flight, 
In other men, his, fresh as morning, rose, 680 

And soared untrodden heights, and seemed at home. 
Where angels bashful looked. Others, though great, 
Beneath their arguments seemed struggling whiles ; 
He, from above descending, stooped to touch 
The loftiest thought ; and proudly stooped, as though 
It scarce deserved his verse. With Nature's self 
He seemed an old acquaintance, free to jest 
At will with all her glorious majesty. 
He laid his hand upon ^' the Ocean's mane," 
And played familiar with his hoary locks; 690 

Stood on the Alps, stood on the Apennines, 
And with the thunder talked, as friend to friend ; 
And wove his garland of the lightning's wing. 
In sportive twist — the lightning's fiery wing. 
Which, as the footsteps of the dreadful God, 
Marching upon the storm in vengeance, seemed ; 
Then turned, and with the grasshopper, who sung 
His evening song beneath his feet, conversed. 
Suns, moons, and stars, and clouds, his sisters were ; 
Rocks, mountains, meteors, seas, and winds, and storms, 
His brothers, younger brothers, whom he scarce 700 
As equals deemed. All passions of all men, 
The wild and tame, the gentle and severe ; 
All thoughts, all maxims, sacred and profane; 
All creeds, all seasons. Time, Eternity ; 
All that was hated, and all that was dear ; 
All that was hoped, all that was feared, by man ; 
He tossed about, as tempest, withered leaves ; 
Then, smiling, looked upon the wreck he made. 
With terror now he froze the cowering blood, 710 



124 THE COURSE OP JIME. 

And now dissolved the heart in tenderness ; 
Yet would not tremble, would not weep himself; 
But back into his soul retired, alone, 
Dark, sullen, proud, gazing contemptuously 
On hearts and passions prostrate at his feet. 
So Ocean, from the plains his waves had late 
To desolation swept, retired in pride, 
Exulting in the glory of his might. 
And seemed to mock the ruin he had wrought. 

As some fierce comet of tremendous size, 720 

To which the stars did reverence, as it passed, 
So he through learning and through fancy took 
His flight sublime, and on the loftiest top 
Of fame's dread mountain sat; not soiled and worn, 
As if he from the earth had laboured up ; 
But as some bird of heavenly plumage fair. 
He looked, which down from higher regions came, 
And perched it there, to see what lay beneath. 

The nations gazed, and wondered much, and praised. 
Critics before him fell in humble plight, 730 

Confounded fell, and made debasing signs 
To catch his eye, and stretched, and swelled themselves 
To bursting nigh, to utter bulky words 
Of admiration vast: and many, too. 
Many that aimed to imitate his flight, 
With weaker wing, unearthly fluttering made, 
And gave abundant sport to after days. 

Great man ! the nations gazed, and wondered much. 
And praised ; and many called his evil good. 
"Wits wrote in favour of his wickedness, 740 

And kings to do him honour took delight. 
Thus, full of titles, flattery, honour, fame, 
Beyond desire, beyond ambition, full, 
He died. He died of what? Of wretchedness ; — 
Drank every cup of joy, heard every trump 
Of fame, drank early, deeply drank, drank draughts 
That common millions might have quenched ; then died 



BOOK IV. 125 

Of thirst, because there was no more to drink. 

His goddess, Nature, wooed, embraced, enjoyed, 

Fell from his arms, abhorred ; his passions died, 750 

Died, all but dreary, solitary Pride ; 

And all his sympathies in being died. 

As some ill-guided bark, well built and tall, 

Which angry tides cast out on desert shore, 

And then, retiring, left it there to rot 

And moulder in the winds and rains of heaven } 

So he, cut from the sympathies of life. 

And cast ashore from pleasure's boisterous surge, 

A wandering, weary, worn, and wretched thing. 

Scorched, and desolate, and blasted soul, 760 

A gloomy wilderness of dying thought, — 

Repined, and groaned, and withered from the earth. 

His groanings filled the land, his numbers filled ; 

And vet he seemed ashamed to crroan : — Poor man '. — 

Ashamed to ask, and yet he needed help. 

Proof this, beyond all lingering of doubt, 
That not with natural or mental wealth. 
Was God delighted, or his peace secured ; 
That not in natural or mental wealth. 
Was human happiness or grandeur found. 770 

Attempt how monstrous, and how surely vain ! 
With things of earthly sort, with aught but God, 
With aught but moral excellence, truth, and love, 
To satisfy and fill the immortal soul ! 
Attempt, vain iu-^onceivably ! attempt, 
To satisfy the Ocean with a drop, 
To marry Immortality to Death, 
And with the unsubstantial Shade of Time, 
To fill the embrace of all eternity ? 
11* 



COURSE OF TIME 



asooit V. 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK V. 

In this Book the Bard sketches the " Joys of Time." Whethei 
happiness or misery preponderated, and where happiness might 
be found, were subjects of debate among men. True happiness 
had no exclusive locality, but was within the reach of all. Sh« 
always went in company with duty. 

Among the numerous contributions to this happiness were the 
joys of childhood, the joys of maternal affection, the joys of 
youthful love, the joys of friendship. The study of nature, and 
contemplation of earth's scenery, also afforded their joys. JoyB 
were felt in anticipations of the future; in recollections of the 
past ; in repose after labour ; even in grief. 

rrom tliesj sources all men experienced joy ; but the pious man 
shared the highest degree. 

And finally, in earth's history, there came a period when general 
joy pervaded it. This was the " thousand years " of Messiah's 
reign, foretold by the prophets, preceded by a terrible contest 
between tJie opposing powers of Truth aud Error. 



THE 



COURSE OF TIME 



oofe V» 



Praise God, ye servants of the Lord ! praise God, 
Ye angels strong ! praise God, ye sons of men ! 
Praise him who made, and who redeemed your souls, 
Who gave you hope, reflection, reason, will; 
Minds that can pierce eternity remote, 
And live atones on future, present, past; 
Can speculate on systems yet .0 make. 
And back recoil on ancient days of Time, 
Of Time, soon past, soon lost among the shades 
Of buried years. Not so the actions done 10 

In Time, the deeds of reasonable men. 
As if engraven with pen of iron grain. 
And laid in flinty rock, they stand, unchanged, 
Written on the various pages of the past : 
If good, in rosy characters of love ; 
If bad, in letters of vindictive fire. 

God may forgive, but cannot blot them out. 
Systems begin and end. Eternity 
Rolls on his endless years, and men, absolved 
By mercy from the consequence, forget 20 

The evil deed, and God imputes it not; 
But neither systems ending nor begun, 



130 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Eternity that rolls his endless years, 

Nor men absolved, and sanctified, and washed 

By mercy from the consequence, nor yet 

Forgetfulness, nor God imputing not, 

Can wash the guilty deed, once done, from out 

The faithful annals of the past : who reads, 

And many read, there finds it, as it was, 

And is, and shall for ever be, — a dark, 30 

Unnatural, and loathly moral spot. 

The span of Time was short, indeed ; and now 
Three-fourths were past, the last begun, and on 
Careering to its close, which soon we sing. 
But first our promise we redeem, to tell 
The joys of Time, her joys of native growth ; 
And briefly must, what longer tale deserves. 

Wake, dear remembrances ! wake, childhood-days! 
Loves, friendships, wake ! and wake, thou morn and 

even ! 
Sun ! with thy orient locks ; night, moon, and stars !40 
And thou, celestial bow ! and all ye woods, 
And hills, and vales, first trod in dawning life, 
And hours of holy musing, wake ! wake, earth ! 
And, smiling to remembrance, come, and bring, 
For thou canst bring, meet argument for song 
Of heavenly harp, meet hearing for the ear 
Of heavenly auditor, exalted high. 

God gave much peace on earth, much holy joy; 
Oped fountains of perennial spring, whence flowed 
Abundant happiness to all who wished 50 

To drink ; not perfect bliss ; — that dwells with us, 
Beneath the eyelids of the Eternal One, 
And sits at his right hand alone ; — but such 
As well deserved the name, abundant joy ; 
Pleasures, on which *he memory of saints 
Of highest glory, still delights to dwell. 

It was, we own, subject of much debate. 
And worthy men stood on opposing sides, 



BOOK V. 131 

Whether the cup of mortal life had more 

Of sour or sweet. Vain question this, when asked 60 

In general terms, and worthy to be left 

Unsolved. If most was sour, the drinker, not 

The cup, we blame. Eacli in himself the means 

Possessed to turn the bitter sweet, the sweet 

To bitter. Hence, from out tJie self-same fount, 

One nectar drank, another draughts of gall. 

Hence, from the self-same quarter of the sky, 

One saw ten thousand angels look and smile ; 

Another saw as many demons frown. 

One discord heard, where harmony inclined 70 

Another's ear. The sweet was in the taste, 

The beauty in the eye, and in the ear 

The melody; and in the man, — for God 

Necessity of sinning laid on none, — 

To form the taste, to purify the eye, 

And tune the ear, that all he tasted, saw, 

Or heard, might be harmonious, sweet, and fair. 

Who would, might groan; who would, might sing for 

j«y- 

Nature lamented little. Undevoured 
By spurious appetites, she found enough, 80 

Where least was found ; with gleanings satisfied, 
Or crumbs, that from the hand of luxury fell; 
Yet seldom these she ate, but ate the bread 
Of her own industry, made sweet by toil; 
And walked in robes that her own hand had spun ; 
And slept on down her early rising bought. 
Frugal and diligent in business, chaste 
And abstinent, she stored for helpless age. 
And, keeping in reserve her spring-day health, 
And dawning relishes of life, she drank 9C 

Her evening cup with excellent appetite ; 
And saw her eldest sun decline, as fair 
As rose her earliest morn, and pleased as well 

Whether in crowds or solitudes, in streets 
Or shady groves, dwelt Happiness, it seems 



It32 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

In vain to ask ; her nature makes it vain ; 

Thougli poets much, and hermits talked, and snng 

Of brooks, and crj'stal founts, and weeping dews, 

And myrtle bowers, and solitary vales, 

And with the nymph made assignations there, 100 

And wooed her with the love-sick oaten reed ; 

And sages too, although less positive, 

Advised their sons to court her in the shade. 

Delirious babble all! Was happiness. 

Was self-approving, God-approving joy. 

In drops of dew, however pure? in gales, 

However sweet ? in wells, however clear ? 

Or groves, however thick with verdant shade ? 

True, these were of themselves exceeding fair: 
How fair at morn and even ! worthy the walk 110 

Of loftiest mind, and gave, when all within 
Was right, a feast of overflowing bliss; 
But were the occasion, not the cause of joy. 
They waked the native fountains of the soul, 
Which slept before ; and stirred the holy tides 
Of feeling up, giving the heart to drink 
From its own treasures draugiits of perfect sweet. 

The Christian faith, v/hich better knew the heart 
Of man, him thither sent for peace, and thus 
Declared : Who finds it, let him find it there ; 120 

Who finds it not, for ever let him seek 
In vain; 'tis God's most holy, changeless will. 

True Happiness had no localities, 
No tones provincial, no peculiar garb. 
Where Duty went, she went, with Justice went, 
And went with Meekness, Charity, and Love. 
Where'er a tear was dried, a wounded heart 
Bound up, a bruised spirit with the dew 
Of sympathy anointed, or a pang 

Of honest suffering soothed, or injury 130 

Repeated oft, as oft by love forgiven; 
Where'er an evil passion was subdued, 



BOOK V. 133 

t T Virtue's feeble embers fanned ; where'er 
A sin was heartily abjured, and left ; 
Where'er a pious act was done, or breathed 
A pious prayer, or wished a pious wish ; 
There was a high and holy place, a spot 
Of sacred light, a most religious fane, 
Where Happiness, descending, sat and smiled. 

But these apart, in sacred memory lives 140 

The morn of life, first morn of endless days, 
Most joyful morn ! nor yet for nought the joy. 
A being of eternal date commenced, 
A young immortal then was born ! and who 
Shall tell what strange variety of bliss 
Burst on the infant soul, when first it looked 
Abroad on God's creation fair, and saw 
The glorious earth and glorious heaven, and face 
Of man sublime, and saw all new, and felt [150 

All new ! when thought awoke, thought never more 
To sleep! when first it saw, heard, reasoned, willed, 
And triumphed in the v;armth of conscious life ! 

Nor happy only, but the cause of joy, 
Which those who never tasted always mourned. 
What tongue ! — no tongue shall tell what bliss o'erflowed 
The mother's tender heart, while round her hung 
The offspring of her love, and lisped her name, 
As living jewels dropped unstained from heaven, 
That made her fairer far, and sweeter seem, 
Than every ornament of costliest hue ! 160 

And who hath not been ravished, as she passed 
With all her playful band of little ones. 
Like Luna, with her daughters of the sky, 
W^alking in matron majesty and grace ? 
All who had hearts here pleasure found : and oft 
Have I, when tired with heavy task, — for tasks 
Were heavy in the world below, — relaxed 
My weary thoughts among their guiltless sports, 
And led them by their little hands a-field, [170 

And watched them run and crop the tempting flower, — 
12 



134 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Which oft, unasked, they brought me, and bestowed 

With smiling face, that waited for a look 

Of praise, — and answered curious questions, put 

In much simplicity, but ill to solve ; 

And heard their observations strange and new, 

And settled whiles their little quarrels, soon 

Ending in peace, and soon forgot in love. 

And still I looked upon their loveliness. 

And sought througli nature for similitudes 

Of perfect beauty, innocence, and bliss, 180 

And fairest imagery around me thronged ; 

Dew-drops at day-spring on a seraph's locks, 

Roses that bathe about the well of life. 

Young Loves, young Hopes, dancing on Morning's 

cheek, 
Gems leaping in the coronet of Love ! 
So beautiful, so full of life, they seemed 
As made entire of beams of angels' eyes. 
Gay, guileless, sportive, lovely, little things I 
Playing around the den of Sorrow, clad 
In smiles, believing in their fairy hopes, 190 

And thinking man and woman true ! all jo)-, 
Happy all day, and happy all the night ! 

Hail, holy Love ! thou word that sums all bliss, 
Gives and receives all bliss, fullest when most 
Thou givest ! spring-head of all felicity. 
Deepest when most is drawn ! emblem of God ! 
O'erflowing most when greatest numbers drink ! 
Essence that binds the uncreated Three, 
Chain that unites creation to its Lord, 
Centre to which all being gravitates, 200 

Eternal, ever-growing, happy Love I 
Enduring all, hoping, forgiving all; 
Instead of law, fulfilling every law; 
Entirely blest, because thou seekst no more, 
Hopest not, nor fearst ; but on the present livest, 
And holdst perfection smiling in thy arms. 
Mysterious, infinite, exhaustless Love ! 
On earth mysterious, and mysterious still 



BOOK V. 135 

in heaven ! sv/eet chord, that harmonizes all 

Tlie harps of Paradise ! the spring, the well, 210 

That fills the bowl and banquet of the eky ! 

liut why should I to thee of Love divine ? 
Who happy, and not eloquent of Love ? 
Who holy, and, as thou art, pure, and not 
A» temple where her glory ever dwells, 
Where burn her fires, and beams her perfect eye ? 

Kindred to this, part of this holy flame, 
Was youthful love — the sweetest boon of Earth. 
Hail, Love ! first Love, thou word that sums all bliss • 
The sparkling cream of all Time's blessedness, 220 
The silken down of happiness complete ! 
Discerner of the ripest grapes of joy. 
She gathered; and selected with her hand, 
All finest relishes, all fairest sights, 
All rarest odours, all divinest sounds. 
All thoughts, all feelings dearest to the soul ; 
And brought the holy mixture home, and filled 
The heart with all superlatives .of bliss ! 
But, who would that expound, which words transcends, 
Must talk in vain. Behold a meeting scene 230 

Of early love, and thence infer its worth. 

It was an eve of Autumn's holiest mood. 
The corn fields, bathed in Cynthia's silver light, 
Stood ready for the reaper's gathering hand ; 
And all the Winds slept soundly. Nature seemed. 
In silent contemplation, to adore 
Its Maker. Now and then, the aged leaf 
Fell from its fellows, rustling to the ground ; 
And, as it fell, bade man think on his end. 
On vale and lake, on wood and mountain high, 240 
With pensive wing outspread, sat heavenly Thought, 
Conversing with itself Vesper looked forth, 
From out her western hermitage, and smiled; 
And up the east, unclouded, rode the Moon 
With all her Stars, gazing on earth intense, 
As if she saw some wonder walking there. 



136 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Such was the night, so lovely, still, serene, 
When, by a hermit thorn that on the hill 
Had seen a hundred flowery ages pass, 
A damsel kneeled to offer up her prayer, 250 

Her prayer nightly offered, nightly heard. 
This ancient thorn had been the meeting place 
Of love, before his country's voice had called , 

The ardent youth to fields of honour far 
Beyond the wave : and hither now repaired, 
Nightly, the maid, by God's all-seeing eye 
Seen only, while she sought this boon alone, 
*' Her lover's safety, and his quick return." 
In holy, humble attitude she kneeled. 
And to her bosom, fair as moonbeam, pressed 260 

One hand, the other lifted up to heaven. 
Her eye, upturned, bright as the star of morn, 
As violet meek, excessive ardour streamed. 
Wafting away her earnest heart to God. 
Her voice, scarce uttered, soft as Zephyr sighs 
On morning lily's cheek, though soft and low. 
Yet heard in heaven, heard at the mercy-seat. 
A tear-drop wandered on her lovely face ; 
It was a tear of faith and holy fear, 
Pure as the drops that hang at dawning-time, 270 

On yonder willows by the stream of life. 
On her the Moon looked steadfastly ; the Stars, 
That circle nightly round the eternal Throne, 
Glanced down, well pleased ; and Everlasting Love 
Gave gracious audience to her prayer sincere. 

Oh, had her lover seen her thus alone, 
Thus holy, wrestling thus, and all for him ! 
Nor did he not : for oft-times Providence, 
With unexpected joy the fervent prayer 
Of faith surprised. Returned from long delay, 2«0 
With glory crowned of righteous actions won, 
The sacred thorn, to memory dear, first sought 
The youth, and found it at the happy hour, 
Just when the damsel kneeled herself to pray. 
Wrapped in devotion, pleading with her God, 



BOOK V. 137 

She saw him not, heard not his foot approach. 
All hoiy images seemed too impure 
To emblem her he saw. A seraph kneeled, 
Beseeching for his ward, before the Throne, 
Seemed fittest, pleased him best. Sweet was the 
thought ! 290 

But sweeter still the kind remembrance came. 
That she was flesh and blood, formed for himself. 
The plighted partner of his future life. 
And as they met, embraced, and sat, embowered. 
In woody chambers of the starry night, 
Spirits of love about them ministered, 
And God, approving, blessed the holy joy ! 

Nor unremembered is the hour when friends 
Met. Friends, but few on earth, and therefore dear 
Sought oft, and sought almost as oft in vain ; 300 

Yet always sought, so native to the heart, 
So much desired, and coveted by all. 
Nor wonder thou, — thou wonderest not nor needst. 
Much beautiful, and excellent, and fair. 
Was seen beneath the sun ; but naught was seen 
More beautiful, or excellent, or fair. 
Than face of faithful friend, fairest when seen 
In darkest day : and many sounds were sweet, 
Most ravishing, and pleasant to the ear ; 
But sweeter none than voice of faithful friend, 310 
Sweet always, sweetest, heaid in loudest storm 
Some I remember, and will ne'er forget; 
My early friends, friends of my evil day ; 
PMends in my mirth, friends in my misery too ; 
Friends given by God in mercy and in love ; 
My counsellors, my comforters, and guides j 
My joy in griei', my second bliss in joy ; 
Companions of my young desires ; in doubt, 
My oracles, my wings in high pursuit. 
Oh, I remember, and will ne'er forget, 320 

Our meeting spots, our chosen, sacred hours, 
Our burning words that uttered all the soul, 
Our faces beaming with unearthly love ; 



138 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Sorrow with sorrow sighing, hope with hope 

Exulting, heart embracing heart entire. 

As birds of social feather helping each 

His fellow's flight, we soared into the skies, 

And cast the clouds beneath our feet, and Earth 

With all her tardy, leaden-footed Cares, 

And talked the speech and ate the food of heaven ! 33(? 

These I remember, these selectest men. 

And would their names record ; but what avails 

My mention of their name ? Before the Throne 

They stand illustrious 'mong the loudest harps, 

And will receive thee glad, my friend and theirs. 

For all are friends in heaven, all faithful friends ! 

And many friendships, in the days of Time 

Begun, are lasting here, and growing still ; 

So grows ours evermore, both theirs and mine. 

Nor is the hour of lonely walk forgot, 310 

In the wide desert, where the view was large. 
Pleasant were many scenes, but most to me 
The solitude of vast extent, untouched 
By hand of art, where Nature sowed, herself. 
And reaped her crops; whose garments were the 

clouds. 
Whose minstrels, brooks; whose lamps, the moon and 

stars ; 
Whose organ-choir, the voice of many waters ; 
Whose banquets, morning dews; whose heroes, storms; 
Whose warriors, mighty winds ; whose lovers, flowers; 
Whose orators, the thunderbolts of God ; 350 

Whose palaces, the everlasting hills ; 
Whose ceiling, heaven's unfathomable blue ; 
And from whose rocky turrets, battled high. 
Prospect immense spread out on all sides round, 
Lost now between the welkin and the main. 
Now walled with hills that slept above the storm. 

Most fit was such a place for musing men. 
Happiest sometimes when musing without aim. 
It was, indeed, a wondrous sort of bliss 



BOOK V. 139 

The lonely bard enjoyed, when forth he walked, 360 
Unpurposed ; stood, and knew not why ; sat down, 
And knew not where; arose, and knew not when; 
Had eyes, and saw not; ears, and nothing heard; 
And sought— sought neither heaven nor earth — sought 

naught, 
Nor meant to think ; but ran, meantime, through vast 
Of visionary things, fairer than aught 
That was ; and sav/ the distant tops of thoughts, 
Which men of common stature never saw, 
Greater than aught that largest words could hold, 
Or give idea of, to those who read. 370 

He entered in to Nature's holy place. 
Her inner chamber, and belield her face 
Unveiled; and heard unutterable things, 
And incommunicable visions saw ; 
Things then unutterable, and visions then 
Of incommunicable glory bright ; 
But by the lips of after ages formed 
To words, or by their pencil pictured forth ; 
Who, entering farther in, belield again. 
And heard unspeakable and marvellous things, 380 
Which other ages in their turn revealed. 
And left to others, greater wonders still. 

The earth abounded much in silent wastes ; 
Nor yet is heaven without its solitudes, 
Else incomplete in bliss, whither who will 
May oft retire, and meditate alone. 
Of God, redemption, holiness, and love ; 
Nor needs to fear a setting sun, or haste 
Him home from rainy tempest unforeseen, 
Or, sighing, leave his thoughts for want of time. 390 

But whatsoever was both good and fair, 
And highest relish of enjoyment gave, 
In intellectual exercise was found. 
When, gazing through the future, present, past, 
Inspired, thought linked to thought, harmonious flowed 
In poetry — the loftiest mood of mind ; 



140 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Or when philosophy the reason led 

Deep through the outward circumstance of things ; 

And saw the master- wheels of Nature move } 

And travelled far along the endless line 400 

Of certain and of probable; and made, 

At every step, some new discovery, 

That gave the soul sweet sense ol" larger room. 

High these pursuits, and sooner to be named, 

Deserved; at present, only named, again 

To be resumed, and praised in longer verse. 

Abundant and diversified above 
All number, were the sources of delight ; 
As infinite as were the lips that drank ; 
And to the pure, all innocent and pure ; 410 

The simplest still to wisest men the best. 
One made acquaintanceship with plants and flowers, 
And happy grew in telling all their names ; 
One classed the quadrupeds ; a third, the fowls ; 
Another found in minerals his joy : 
And I have seen a man, a worthy man, 
In happy mood conversing with a fly ; 
And as he, through his glass, made by himself, 
Beheld its wondrous eye and plumage fine. 
From leaping scarce he kept, for perfect joy. 420 

And from ray path I with my friend have turned, 
A man of excellent mind and excellent heart. 
And climbed the neighbouring hill, with arduous step. 
Fetching from distant cairn, or from the earth 
Digging, with labour sure, the ponderous stone, 
Which, having carried to the highest top. 
We downward rolled ; and as it strove, at first, 
With obstacles that seemed to match its force. 
With feeble, crooked motion to and fro 
Wavering, he looked with interest most intense, 430 
And prayed almost ; and as it gathered strength, 
And straightened the current of its furious flow, 
Exulting in the swiftness of its course. 
And, rising now with rainbow-bound immense, 



BOOK V. 141 

Leaped down careering o'er the subject plain, 
He clapped his hands in sign of boundless bliss, 
And lauglied and talked, well paid for all his toil : 
And when at night the story was rehearsed, 
Uncommon glory kindled in his eye. 

= ^ [440 

And then? were, too, — Harp ! lift thy voice on high, 
And run in ripid numbers o'er the face 
Of Nature's scenery, — and there were day 
And night, and rising suns and setting suns, 
And clouds that seemed like chariots of saints, 
By fiery coursers drawn, as brightly hued 
As if the glorious, bushy, golden locks 
Of thousand cherubim had been shorn off. 
And on the temples hung of Morn and Even. 
And there were moons, and stars, and darkness streaked 
With light; and voice and tempest heard secure, 450 
And there were seasons coming evermore. 
And going still, all fair, and always new, 
With bloom, and fruit, and fields of hoary grain. 
And there were hills of flock, and groves of song. 
And flowery streams, and garden walks embowered, 
Where, side by side, the rose and lily bloomed ; 
And sacred founts, wild harps, and moonlight glens. 
And forests vast, fair lawns, and lonely oaks, 
And little willows sipping at the brook ; 
Old wizard haunts, and dancing seats of mirth; 460 
Gay festive bowers, and palaces in dust ; 
Dark owlet nooks, and caves, and battled rocks ; 
And winding valleys, roofed with pendent shade ; 
And tall and perilous cliff's, that overlooked 
The breadth of Ocean, sleeping on his waves; 
Sounds, sights, smells, tastes, the heaven and earth, 

profuse 
In endless sweets, above all praise of song: 
For not to use alone did Providence 
Abound ; but large example gave to man 
Of grace, and ornament, and splendour rich, 470 

Suited abundantly to every taste, 
In bird, beast, fish, winged and creeping thing, 



142 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

In herb, and flower, and in the restless change, 
Whicli, on the many-colored seasons, made 
The annual circuit of tlie fruitful earth. 

Nor do I aught of earthly sort remember, — 
If partial feeling to my native place 
Lead not my lyre astray, — of fairer view, 
And comelier walk, than the blue mountain-paths, 
And snowy cliff's of Albion renowned ; 480 

Albion, an isle long blessed with gracious laws. 
And gracious kings, and favoured much of Heaven, 
Though yielding oft penurious gratitude. 
Nor do I of that isle remember aught 
Of prospect more sublime and beautiful, 
Than Scotia's northern battlement of hills, 
Which first I from my father's house beheld, 
At dawn of life ; beloved in memory still, 
Aid standard still of rural imagerj^. 
"Wiiat most resembles them, the fairest seems, 490 
And stirs the eldest sentiments of bliss ; 
And, pictured on the tablet of my heart, 
Their distant shapes eternally remain, 
And in my dreams their cloudy tops arise. 

Much of my native scenery appears. 
And presses forward to be in my song ; 
But must not now, for much behind awaits 
Of higher note. Four trees I pass not by. 
Which o'er our house their evening shadow threw 
Three ash, and one of elm. Tall trees they were, 500 
And old, and had been old a century 
Before my day. None living could say aught 
About their youth ; but they were goodly trees 
And ofl I wondered, — as I sat and thought 
Beneath their summer shade, or, in the night 
Of winter, heard the spirits of the wind 
Growling among their boughs, — how they had grown 
So high, in such a rough, tempestuous place ; 
And when a hapless branch, torn by the blast, 
Fell down, I mourned, as if a friend had fallen. 510 



BOOK V. 143 

These I distinctly hold in memory still. 
And all the desert scenery around. 
Nor strange, that recollection there should dwell, 
Where first I heard of God's redeeming love ; 
First felt and reasoned, loved and was beloved ; 
And first awoke the harp to holy song. 

To hoar and green there was enough of joy. 
Hopes, friendships, charities, and warm pursuit, 
Gave comfortable flow to youthful blood. 
And there were old remembrances of days, 520 

When, on the glittering dews of orient life. 
Shone sunshine hopes, unfailed, unperjured, then ; 
And there were childish sports, and school-lDoy feats, 
And school-boy spots, and earnest vows of love. 
Uttered, when passion's boisterous tide ran high, 
Sincerely uttered, though but seldom kept: 
And there were angel looks, and sacred hours 
Of rapture, hours that in a moment passed. 
And yet were wished to last forevermore ; 
And venturous exploits, and hardy deeds, 530 

And bargains shrewd, achieved in manhood's prime; 
And thousand recollections, gay and sweet. 
Which, as the old and venerable man 
Approached the grave, around him, smiling, flocked, 
And breathed new ardour through his ebbing veins, 
And touched his lips with endless eloquence. 
And cheered and much refreshed his withered heart. 

Indeed, each thing remembered, all but guilt, 
Was pleasant, and a constant source of joy. 
Nor lived the old on memory alone. 540 

He in his children lived a second life. 
With them again took root, sprang witli their hopes, 
Entered into their schemes, partook their fears. 
Laughed in their mirth, and in their gain grew rich. 
And sometimes on the eldest cheek was seen 
A smile as hearty as on face of youth. 
That saw in prospect sunny hopes invite, 
Hope's pleasures, sung to harp of sweetest note. 



144 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Harp, heard with rapture on Britannia's hills, 

With rapture heard by me, in morn of life. 550 

Nor small the joy of rest to mortal men, 
Rest after labour, sleep approaching soft. 
And wrapping all the weary faculties 
In sweet repose. Then Fancy, unrestrained 
By sense or judgment, strange confusion made 
Of future, present, past, combining things 
Unseemly, things unsociable in nature. 
In most absurd communion, laughable. 
Though sometimes vexing sore the slumbering soul. 
Sporting at will, she, through her airy halls, 560 

With moonbeams paved, and canopied with stars, 
And tapestried with marvellous imagery. 
And shapes of glory, infinitely fair, 
Moving and mixing in most wondrous dance, — 
Fantastically walked, but pleased so well, 
That ill she liked the judgment's voice severe. 
Which called her home when noisy morn awoke. 
And oft she sprang beyond the bounds of Time, 
On her swift pinion lifting up the souls 
Of righteous men, on higli to God and heaven, 570 
Where they beheld unutterable things; 
And heard the glorious music of the blessed, 
Circling the throne of the Eternal Three ; 
And, with the spirits unincarnate, took 
Celestial pastime, on the hills of God, 
Forgetful of the gloomy pass between. 

Some dreams were useless, moved by turbid course 
Of animal disorder ; not so all. 
Deep moral lessons some impressed, that naught 
Could afterwards deface : and oft in dreams, 580 

The master passion of the soul displayed 
His huge deformity, concealed by day, ^ 

Warning the sleeper to beware, awake : j.. 

And oft in dreams, the reprobate and vile, 
Unpardonable sinner, — as he seemed 
Toppling upon the perilous edge of hell, — 



BOOK V. 145 

In dreadful apparition, saw, before 

His vision pass, the shadows of the damned ; 

And saw the glare of hollow, cursed eyes 

Spring from the skirts of the infernal night; 590 

And saw the souls of wicked men, new dead, 

By devils hearsed into the fiery gulf; 

And heard the burning of the endless flames ; 

And heard the weltering of the waves of wrath ; 

And sometimes, too, betbre his fancy, passed 

The Worm that never dies, writhing its folds 

In hideous sort, and with eternal Death 

Held horrid colloquy, giving the wretch 

Unwelcome earnest of the wo to come. 

But these we leave, as unbefitting song, 600 

That promised happy narrative of joy. 

But what, of all the joys of earth, was most 
Of native growth, most proper to the soil, 
Not elsewhere known, in worlds that never fell, 
Was joy that sprung from disappointed wo. 
The joy in grief, the pleasure after pain. 
Fears turned to hopes, meetings expected not, 
Deliverances from dangerous attitudes. 
Better for worse, and best sometimes for worst, 
And all the seeming ill ending in good, — 610 

A sort of happiness composed, which none 
Has had experience of, but mortal man ; 
Yet not to be despised. Look back, and one 
Behold, who would not give her tear for all 
The smiles that dance about the cheek of Mirth. 

Among the tombs she walks at noon of night, 
In miserable garb of widowhood. 
Observe her yonder, sickly, pale, and sad, 
Bending her wasted body o'er the grave 
Of him who was the husband of her youth. 620 

The moonbeams, trembling through these ancient yews. 
That stand like ranks of mourners round the bed 
Of death, fall dismally upon her face, 
Her little, hollow, withered face, almost 
]3 



146 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Invisible, so worn away with wo. 

The tread of hasty foot, passing so late, 

Disturbs her not ; nor yet the roar of mirth, 

From neighbouring revelry ascending loud. 

She hears, sees naught, fears naught. One thouglit 

alone 
Fills all her heart and soul, half hoping, half 630 

Remembering, sad, unutterable thought ! 
Uttered by silence and by tears alone. 
Sweet tears ! the awful language, eloquent 
Of infinite affection, far too big 

For words. She sheds not many now. That grass, 
Which springs so rankly o'er the dead, has drunk 
Already many showers of grief; a drop 
Or two are all that now remain behind, 
And, from her eye that darts strange fiery beams, 
At dreary intervals, drip down her cheek, 640 

Falling most mournfully from bone to bone. 
But yet she wants not tears. That babe, that hanga 
Upon her breast, that babe that never saw 
Its father — he was dead before its birth — 
Helps her to weep, weeping before its time. 
Taught sorrow by the mother's melting voice. 
Repeating oft the father's sacred name. 
Be not surprised at this expense of wo ! 
The man she mourns was all she called her own. 
The music of her ear, light of her eye, 650 

Desire of all her heart, her hope, her fear, 
The element in which her passions lived, 
Dead now, or dying all : nor long shall she 
Visit that place of skulls. Night after night, 
She wears herself away. The moonbeam, now. 
That falls upon her unsubstantial frame, 
Scarce finds obstruction ; and upon her bones. 
Barren as leafless boughs in winter-time, 
Her infant fastens his little hands, as oft, 
Forgetful, she leaves him a while unlield. 660 

But, look, she passes not away in gloom. 
A light from far illumes her face, a light 
That comes beyond the moon beyond the sua — 



BOOK V. 147 

The light of truth divine, the glorious hope 

Of resurrection at the promised morn, 

And meetings then which ne'er shall part again. 

Indulge another note of kindred tone. 
Where grief was mixed with melancholy joy. 

Our sighs were numerous, and profuse our tears, 
For she, we lost, was lovely, and we loved 670 

Her much. Fresh in our memory, as fresh 
As yesterday, is yet the day she died. 
It was an April day ; and blithely all 
The youth of nature leaped beneath the sun, 
And promised glorious manhood ; and our hearts 
Were glad, and round them danced the lightsome blood, 
In healthy merriment, when tidings came, 
A child was born : and tidings came again, 
That she who gave it birth was sick to death. 
So swift trode sorrow on the heels of joy ! 680 

We gathered round her bed, and bent our knees 
In fervant supplication to the Throne 
Of Mercy, and perfumed our prayers with sighs 
Sincere, and penitential tears, and looks 
Of self-abasement ; but we sought to stay 
An angel on the earth, a spirit ripe 
For heaven ; and Mercy, in her love, refused, 
Most merciful, as oft, when seeming least ! 
Most gracious when she seemed the most to frown ! 
The room I well remember, and the bed 690 

On which she lay, and all the faces too. 
That crowded dark and mournfully around. 
Her father there and mother, bending, stood ; 
And down their aged cheeks fell many drops 
Of bitterness. Her husband, too, was there. 
And brothers, and they wept; her sisters, too, 
Did weep and sorrow, comfortless ; and I, 
Too, wept, though not to weeping given ; and al! 
Within the house was dolorous and sad, 
This I remember well ; but better still, 700 

[ do remember, and will ne'er forget, 



148 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

The dying eye ! That eye alone was bright, 

And brighter grew, as nearer death approached • 

As I have seen the gentle little flower 

Look fairest in the silver beam which fell. 

Reflected from the thunder-cloud that soon 

Came down, and o'er the desert scattered far 

And wide its loveliness. Slie made a sign 

To bring her babe — 'twas brought, and by her placed 

She looked upon its face, that neither smiled 710 

Nor wept, nor knew who gazed upon't ; and laid 

Her hand upon its Lttle breast, and sought 

For it, with look that seemed to penetrate 

The heavens, unutterable blessings, such 

As God to dying parents only granted. 

For infants left behind them in the world. 

" God keep my child !"' we heard her say, and heard 

No more. The Angel of the Covenant 

Was come, and, faithful to his promise, stood, [720 

Prepared to walk with her through death's dark vale. 

And now her eyes grew bright, and brighter still, 

Too bright for ours to look upon, suffused 

With many tears, and closed without a cloud. 

They set as sets the morning star, which goes 

Not down behind the darkened west, nor hides 

Obscured among the tempests of the sky, 

But melts away into the light of heaven. 

Loves, friendships, hopes, and dear remembrances, 
The kind embracings of the heart, and hours 
Of happy thought, and smiles coming to tears, 730 
And glories of the heaven and starry cope 
Above, and glories of the earth beneath, — 
These were the rays that wandered through the gloom 
Of mortal life ; wells of the wilderness. 
Redeeming features in the face of Time, 
Sweet drops, that made the mixed cup of Earth 
A palatable draught — too bitter else. 

About the joys and pleasures of the world, 
This question was not seldom in debate : 
Whether the righteous man, or sinner, had 740 



BOOK V. 149 

The greatest share, and relished them the most? 
Truth gives the answer thus, gives it distinct. 
Nor needs to reason long : The righteous man. 
For what was he denied of earthly growth, 
Worthy the name of good ? Truth answers, Naught. 
Had he not appetites, and sense, and will? 
Might he not eat, if Providence allowed. 
The finest of the wheat ? Might he not drink 
The choicest wine ? True, he was temperate ; 
But, then, was temperance a foe to peace ? 750 

Might he not rise, and clothe himself in gold? 
Ascend, and stand in palaces of kings? 
True, he was honest still, and charitable : 
Were, then, these virtues foes to human peace ? 
Might he not do exploits, and gain a name ? 
Most true, he trode not down a fellow's right, 
Nor walked up to a throne on skulls of men : 
Were justice, then, and mercy, foes to peace ? 
Had he not friendships, loves, and smiles, and hopes .' 
Sat not around his table sons and daughters ? 760 

Was not his ear with music pleased ? his eye 
With light ? his nostrils with perfumes ? his lipa 
Witli pleasant relishes ? Grew not his herds ? 
Fell not the rain upon his meadows ? reaped 
He not his harvests ? and did not his heart 
Revel, at will, through all the charities 
And sympathies of nature, unconfined ? 
And were not these all sweetened and sanctified 
By dews of holiness, shed from above? 
Might he not walk through Fancy's airy halls? 770 
Might he not History's ample page survey? 
Might he not, finally, explore the depths 
Of mental, moral, natural, divine? 
But why enumerate thus ? One word enough. 
There was no joy in all created things. 
No drop of sweet, that turned not in the end 
To sour, of which the righteous man did not 
Partake ; partake, invited by the voice 
Of God, his Father's voice, who gave him all 
His heart's desire : and o'er the sinner still, 780 

13^^ 



150 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

The Christian had this one advantage more, 
That when his earthly pleasures failed, — and fail 
They always did to every soul of man, — 
He sent his hopes on high, looked up and reached 
His sickle forth, and reaped the fields of heaven, 
And plucked the clusters from the vines of God. 

Nor was the general aspect of the world 
Always amoral waste. A time there came. 
Though few believed it eer should come; a time. 
Typed by the Sabbath day recurring once 790 

In seven, and by the year of rest indulged 
Septennial to the lands on Jordan's banks ; 
A time foretold by Judah's bards in words 
Of fire ; a time, seventh part of time, and set 
Before the eighth and last, the Sabbath day 
Of all the earth, when all had rest and peace. 
Before its coming many to and fro 
Ran, ran from various cause ; by many sent 
From various cause, upright and crooked both. 
Some sent and ran for love of souls, sincere ; 800 

And more, at instance of a holy name. 
With godly zeal much vanity was mixed ; 
And circumstance of gaudy civil pomp; 
And speeches buying praise for praise ; and lists, 
And endless scrolls, surcharged with modest names 
That sought the public eye ; and stories, told 
In quackish phrase, that hurt their credit, even 
When true; combined with wise and prudent means, 
Much wheat, much chaff, much gold, and much alloy ; 
But God wrought with the whole, wrought most with 
what 810 

To man seemed weakest means, and brought result 
Of good, from good and evil both ; and breathed 
Into the withered nations breath and life, 
The breath and life of liberty and truth, 
By means of knowledge, breathed into the soul. 

Then was the evil day of tyranny, 
Of kin£l> and of priestly tyrannv. 



BOOK V. 151 

That bruisel the nations long. As yet. no state 

Beneath the heavens had tasted freedom's wine, 

Though loud of freedom was the talk of all. 820 

Some groaned more deeply, being heavier tasked ; 

Some wrought with straw, and some without; but all 

Were slaves, or meant to be ; for rulers, still, 

Had been of eaual mind, excepting few. 

Cruel, rapacious, tyrannous, and vile. 

And had with equal shoulder propped the Beast. 

As yet, the Church, the holy spouse of God, 

In members few, had wandered in her weeds 

Of mourning, persecuted, scorned, reproached, 

And buffeted, and killed ; in members few, 830 

Though seeming many whiles ; then fewest, oft. 

When seeming most. She still had hung her harp 

Upon the willow-tree, and sighed, and wept 

From age to age. Satan began the war. 

And all his angels, and all wicked men. 

Against her fought by wile, or fierce attack, 

Six thousand years ; but fought in vain. She stood 

Troubled on every side, but not distressed ; 

Weeping, but yet despairing not ; cast down. 

But not destroyed : for she upon the palms 840 

Of God was graven, and precious in his sight. 

As apple of his eye ; and, like the bush 

On Midia's mountain seen, burned unconsumed ; 

But to the wilderness retiring, dwelt. 

Debased in sackcloth, and forlorn in tears. 

As yet had sung the scarlet-coloured Whore, 
Who on the breast of civil power reposed 
Her harlot head, (the Church a harlot then. 
When first she wedded civil power,) and drank 
The blood of martyred saints, — whose priests were 
lords, . 850 

WHiose coffers held the gold of every land, 
Who held a cup of all pollutions full. 
Who with a double horn the people pushed, 
And raised her forehead, full of blasphemy, 
Above the holy God, usurping ofl 



152 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Jehovah's incommunicable names. 

The nations had been dark; the Jews had pined, 

Scattered without a name, beneath the Curse ; 

War had abounded, Satan raged, unchained ; 

And earth had still been black with moral gloom. 860 

But now the cry of men oppressed went up 
Before the Lord, and to remembrance came 
The tears of all liis saints, their tears, and groans. 
Wise men had read the number of the name ; 
The prophet-years had rolled ; the time, and times, 
And half a time, were now fulfilled complete ; 
The seven fierce vials of the wrath of God, 
Poured by seven angels strong, were shed abroad 
Upon the earth and emptied to the dregs ; 
The prophecy for confirmation stood ; S70 

And all was ready for the sword of God 

The righteous saw, and fled without delay 
[nto the chambers of Omnipotence. 
The wicked mocked, and sought for erring cause, 
To satisfy the dismal state of tilings ; 
The public credit gone, the fear in time 
Of peace, the starving want in time of wealth, 
The insurrection muttering in the streets, 
And pallid consternation spreading wide ; 
And leagues, though holy termed, first ratified 880 
In hell, on purpose made to under-prop 
Iniquity, and crush the sacred truth. 

Meantime, a mighty angel stood in heaven, 
And cried aloud, " Associate now yourselves, 
Ye princes, potentates, and men of war. 
And mitred heads, associate now yourselves, 
And be dispersed ; embattle, and be broken. 
Gird on your armour, and be daslied to dust. 
Take counsel, and it shall be brought to naught. 
Speak, and it shall not stand." And suddenly 890 
The armies of the saints, imbannersd, stood 
On Zion hill ; and with tliem angels stood 



uooK V. 153 

In squadron bright, and chariots of fire ; 

And with them stood the Lord, clad Hke a man 

Of war, and, to the sound of thunder, led 

Tiie battle on. Earth shook, the kingdoms shook ; 

The Beast, the lying Seer, dominions, fell ; 

Thrones, tyrants fell, confounded in the dust. 

Scattered and driven before the breath of God, 

As chaff of summer threshing floor, before 900 

The wind. Three days the battle wasting slew. 

The sword was full, the arrow drunk with blood; 

And to the supper of Almighty ^xod. 

Spread in Hamonah's vale, the fowls of heaven, 

And every beast, invited, came, and fed 

On captains' flesh, and drank the blood of kings. 

And, lo ! another angel stood in heaven, 
Crying aloud with mighty voice, " Fallen, fallen, 
Is Babylon the Great, to rise no more. 
Rejoice, ye prophets! over her rejoice, 91^ 

Apostles ! holy men, all saints, rejoice ! 
And glory give to God and to the Lamb." 
And all the armies of disburdened earth, 
As voice of many waters, and as voice 
Of thunderings, and voice of multitudes, 
Answered, Amen. And every hill and rock, 
And sea, and every beast, answered. Amen. 
Europa answered, and the farthest bounds 
Of woody Chili, Asia's fertile coasts. 
And Afric's burning wastes, answered. Amen. 920 
And Heaven, rejoicing, answered back, Amen. 

Not so the wicked. They afar were heard 
Lamenting. Kings, who drank her cup of whoredoms, 
Captains, and admirals, and mighty men. 
Who lived deliciously ; and merchants, rich 
With merchandise of gold, and wine, and oil ; 
And those who traded in the souls of men. 
Known by their gaudy robes of priestly pomp; — 
All these afar off" stood, crying, Alas ! [930 

Alas ! and wept, and gnashed their teeth, and groaned, 



154 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And, with th;i owl that on her ruins sat, 
Made dolor JU3 concert in the ear of Night. 
And over her ctgoin the Heavens rejoiced, 
And Earth r'.-ti .r/ied again the loud response. 

Thrice happ/ oays ! thrice blessed the man who saw 
Their dawn ! The Church and State, that long had held 
Unholy intorcouvfie, were now divorced ; 
Princes wer:' rif^'hteous men, judges upright; 
And first, in general, now — for in the worst 
Of times tb'ijro were s'^nie honest seers — the priest 940 
Sought othev tha/i the fleece among his flocks, 
Best paid v/hen (.iod was honoured most; and, like 
A cedar, nourished well, Jerusalem grew, 
And towered on high, and spread, and flourished fair) 
And underneath her boughs the nations lodged. 
All nations iodged, and sung the song of peace. 
From the fjor winds, the Jews, eased of the Curse, 
Pteturned, r.nd dwelt with God in Jacob's land, 
And drank of Sharon and of Carmel's vine. [950 

Sat^n waj bound, though bound, not banished quite, 
Put lurkefi about the timorous skirts of things, 
ill lo'^ged, ind thinking whiles to leave the earth, 
Ano Wxth t'le wicked, — for some wicked were, — 
Held m'dr.'^ht meetings, as the saints were wont, 
Fearfvl ri f.ay, who once was as the sun, 
An'l Wjr? -lipped more. The bad, but few, became 
A ta'^n* arJ hissing now, as heretofore 
Thd jgjod ; and, blushing, hasted out of sight. 
Disease was none ; the voice of war forgot ; 
f he Bword, a share ; a pruning-hook, the spear. 960 
Men grew and multiplied upon the earth. 
And filled the city and the waste; and Death 
36tood waiting for the lapse of tardy Age, 
That mocked him long. Men grew and multiplied, 
But lacked not bread ; for God his promise brought 
To mind, and blessed the land with plenteous rain. 
And made it blessed for dews and precious things 
Of heaven, and blessings of the deep beneath. 
And blessings of the sun and moon, and fruits 



BOOK V. 155 

Of day and night, and blessings of the vale, 970 

And precious things of the eternal hills, 
And all the fulness of perpetual spring. 

The prison-house, where chained felons pined, 
Threw open his ponderous doors, let in the light 
Of heaven, and grew into a church, where God 
Was worshipped. None were ignorant, selfish none 
Love took the place of law; where'er you met 
A man, you met a friend, sincere and true. 
Kind looks foretold as kind a heart within ; 
Words as tliey sounded, meant; and promises 980 

Were made to be performed. Thrice happy days ! 
Philosopiiy was sanctified, and saw 
Perfections that she thought a fable, long. 
Revenge his dagger dropped, and kissed the hand 
Of Mercy ; Anger cleared his cloudy brow, 
And sat with Peace ; Envy grew red, and smiled 
On Worth ; Pride stooped, and kissed Humility; 
Lust washed his miry hands, and, wedded, leaned 
On chaste Desire ; and Falsehood laid aside 
His many-folded cloak, and bowed to Truth; 990 

And Treachery up from his mining came. 
And walked above tlie ground with righteous Faith; 
And Covetousness unclenched his sinewy hand. 
And opened his door to Charity, the fair; 
Hatred was lost in Love ; and Vanity, 
With a good conscience pleased, her feathers cropped 
Sloth in the morning rose with Industry ; 
To Wisdom Folly turned ; and Fashion turned 
Deception off, in act as good as word. 
The hand that held a whip was lifted up 1000 

To bless ; slave was a word in ancient books 
Met, only; every man was free ; and all 
Feared God, and served him day and night in love. 

How fair the daughter of .Jerusalem then ! 
How gloriously from Zion Hill she looked ! 
Clothed with the sun, and in her train the moon, 
And on her head a coronet of stars, 



156 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And girdling round her waist, with heavenly grace, 
The bow of Mercy bright ; and in her hand 
Immanuel's cross, her sceptre and her hope. JOIO 

Desire of every land ! the nations came, 
And worshipped at her feet; all nations came, 
Flocking like doves : Columbas painted tribes, 
That from Magellan to the Frozen Bay, 
Beneath the Arctic, dwelt ; and drank the tides 
Of Amazona, prince of earthly streams ; 
Or slept at noon beneath the giant shade 
Of Andes' mount; or, roving northward, heard 
Nigara sing, from Erie's billow down 
To Frontenac, and hunted thence the fur 1020 

To Labrador : and Afric's dusky swarms, 
That from Morocco to Angola dwelt. 
And drank the Niger from his native wells, 
Or roused the lion in Numidia's groves ; 
The tribes that sat among the fabled cliffs 
Of Atlas, looking to Atlanta's wave ; 
With joy and melody, arose and came. 
Zara awoke and came, and Egypt came, 
Casting her idol gods into the Nile. 
Black Ethiopia, that, shadowless, 1030 

Beneath the Torrid burned, arose and came. 
Dauma and Medra, and the pirate tribes 
Of Algeri, with incense came, and pure 
Offerings, annoying now the seas no more. 
The silken tribes of Asia, flocking, came, 
Innumerous : Ishmael's wandering race, that rode 
On camels o'er the spicy tract that lay 
From Persia to the Red Sea coast ; the king 
Of broad Cathay, with numbers infinite, 
Of many lettered casts ; and all the tribes 1040 

That dwelt from Tigris to the Ganges' wave, 
And worshipped fire, or Brahma, fabled god ; 
Cashmeres, Circassians, Banyans, tender race ! 
That swept the insect from their path, and lived 
On herbs and fruits ; and those who peaceful dwelt 
Along the shady avenue that stretched 



BOOK V. 157 

From Agra to Lahore ; and all the hosts 

That owned the Crescent late, deluded long ; 

The Tartar hordes, that roamed from Oby's bank, 

Ungoverned, southward to the wondrous Wall. 1050 

The tribes of Europe cime : the Greek, redeemed 

From Turkish thrall, the Spaniard came, and Gaul, 

And Britain with her ships, and, on his sledge, 

The Laplander, that nightly watched the bear 

Circling the Pole ; and those who saw the flames 

Of Hecla burn the drifted snow ; the Russ, 

Long-whiskered, and equestrian Pole ; and those 

Who drank the Rhine, or lost the evening sun 

Behind the Alpine towers ; and she that sat 

By Arno, classic stream ; Venice ; or Rome, 1060 

Head quarters long of sin ! first guileless now, 

And meaning as she seemed, stretched forth her hands ; 

And all the Isles of ocean rose and came, 

Whether they heard the roll of banislied tides, 

Antipodes to Albion's wave, or watched 

The Moon, ascending chalky Teneriffe, 

And with Atlanta holding nightly love. 

The Sun, the Moon, the Constellations, came : 

Thrice twelve and ten that watched the Antarctic sleep, 

Twice six that near the Ecliptic dwelt, thrice twelve 

And one, that with the Streamers danced, and saw[1070 

The Hyperborean Ice guarding the Pole. 

The East, the West, the South, and snowy North, 

Rejoicing met, and worshipped reverently 

Before the Lord, in Zion's holy hill ; 

And all the places round about were blessed. 

The animals, as once in Eden, lived 
In peace. The wolf dwelt with the lamb, the bear 
And leopard with the ox. With looks of love. 
The tiger and the scaly crocodile 1080 

Together met, at Gambia's palmy wave. 
Perched on the eagle's wing, the bird of song. 
Singing, arose, and visited the sun ; 
And with the falcon sat the gentleMark. 
The little child leaped from his mother's arms, 
14 



158 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And stroked the crested snake, and rolled unhurt 

Among his speckled waves, and wished him home; 

And sauntering school-boys, slow returning, pluyed 

At eve about the lion's den. and wove, 

Into his shaggy mane, fantastic flowers. 1080 

To meet the husbandman, early abroad, 

Hasted the deer, and waved its woody head. 

And round his dewy steps, the hare, uni^cared, 

Sported ; and toyed familiar with his dog. 

The flocks and herds, o'er hill and valley spread, 

Exulting, cropped the ever-budding herb. 

The desert blossomed, and the barren sung. 

Justice and Mercy, Holiness and Love, 

Among the people walked, Messiah reigned, 

And Earth kept Jubilee a thousand years. 1100 



COURSE OF TIME 



asoofe 17X. 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK VI. 

At the opening of the Book, the Bard glances at the final de- 
struction of the Earth, as if the astonisiiing change were actu- 
ally again taking place under his eye. But, checking himself, 
he proceeds to describe the years which followed the millennial 
rest. 

Ungodliness again abounded. Ambition and love of ease, prin- 
ciples which had always struggled for the mastery of man, re- 
gained their ascendency. Every form of sin, which had existed 
before the reign of Messiah, was renewed, and new forms were 
invented. The age was, however, enlightened and polished, 
and the universal contempt of God was wholly wilful. 

In the meantime strange phenomena and disasters gave presage 
of Earth's approaching dissolution. Men disturbed, not re- 
formed, inquired the meaning in alarm ; but soon forgot the 
whole in their guilty pleasures ; and Earth hasted to fill up the 
measure of her wickedness. 

Here the Bard pauses in his narrative, as the numerous occu]iant3 
of heaven suspend their various employments to join in an 
evening hymn of praise. All are represented as turning towards 
the unvailed Godhead, while the sainted Isaiah takes the harp, 
and, standing before the throiie, utters the holy song. At its 
close the thousands infinite, who ' circling stand, bowing afar ' 
devoutly respond their assent. 



THE 



COURSE OF TIME 



asoofe vn. 



Resume thy tone of wo, immortal Harp ! 
The song of mirth is past, the Jubilee 
Is ended, and the sun begins to fade ! 
Soon passed, for Happiness counts not the hours: 
To her a thousand years seem as a day ; 
A day, a thousand years to Misery. 
Satan is loose, and Violence is heard, 
And Riot in the street, and Revelry 
Intoxicate, and Murder, and Revenge. 
Put on your armour now, ye righteous ! put I0 

The helmet of salvation on, and gird 
Your loins about with truth ; add righteousness, 
And add the shield of faith, and take the sword 
Of God — awake and watch ! — The day is near, 
Great day of God Almighty and the Lamb ! 
The harvest of the earth is fully ripe ; 
Vengeance begins to tread the great wine-press 
Of fierceness and of wrath ; and Mercy pleads, 
Mercy that pleaded long, she pleads — no more ! 
Whence comes that darkness ? whence those yelT» 
of wo ? 2& 

What thunderings are these that shake the world ?■ 
Why fall the lamps from heaven as blasted figs.? 
14* 



162 THE COURSE OP TIME. 

Why tremble righteous men ? why angels pale ? 

Why is all fear? what has become of hope ? 

God comes ! God, in his car of vengeance, comes !— 

Hark ! louder on the blast, come hollow shrieks 

Of dissolution ! in the fitful scowl 

Of night, near and more near, angels of death 

Incessant flap their deadly wings, and roar 

Through all the fevered air ! the mountains rock, 30 

The moon is sick, and all the stars of heaven 

Burn feebly ! oft and sudden gleams the fire, 

Revealing awfully the brow of Wrath I 

The Thunder, long and loud, utters his voice, 

Responsive to the Ocean's troubled growl ! 

Night comes, last night, the long, dark, dark, dark 

night, 
That has no morn beyond it, and no star ! 
No eye of man hath seen a night >ike this ! 
Heaven's trampled Justice girds itself for fight ! 
Earth, to thy knees, and cry for mercy ! cry 40 

With earnest heart, for thou art growing old 
And hoary, unrepented, unforgiven ! 
And all thy glory mourns ! The vintage mourns ! 
Bashan and Carmel, mourn and weep ! and mourn, 
Thou Lebanon ! with all thy cedars, mourn. 
Sun ! glorying in thy strength from age to age. 
So long observant of thy hour, put on 
Thy weeds of wo, and tell the Moon to weep ; 
Utter thy grief at mid-day, morn, and even; 
Tell all the nations, tell the Clouds that sit 50 

About the portals of the east and west, 
And wanton with thy golden locks, to wait 
Thee not to-morrow, fur no morrow comes ! 
Tell men and women, tell the new-born child. 
And every eye that sees, to come, and see 
Thee set behind Eternity, for thou 
Shalt go to bed to-night, and ne'er awake ! « 

Stars ! walking on the pavement of the sky, 
Out-sentinels of heaven, watching the earth, 
Cease dancing now ; your lamps are growing dim, 60 
Your graves are dug among the dismal clouds, 



BOOK VI. 163 

And angels are assembling round your bier ! 

Orion, mourn ! and Mazzaroth, and thou, 

Arcturus ! mourn, with all thy northern sons, 

Daughters of Pleiades ! that nightly shed 

Sweet influence, and thou, fairest of stars ! 

Eye of the morning, weep ! and weep at eve I 

Weep setting, now to rise no more, " and flame 

On forehead of the dawn," — as sung the bard. 

Great bard ! who used on Earth a seraph's lyre, 70 

Whose numbers wandered through eternity. 

And gave sweet foi-etaste of the heavenly harps ! 

Minstrel of sorrow ! native of tlie dark, 

Shrub-loving Philomel, that wooed the Dews, 

At midnight from their starry beds, and, charmed, 

Held them around thy song till dawn awoke, 

Sad bird ! pour through the gloom thy weeping song, 

Pour all thy dying melody of grief, 

And with the turtle spread the wave of wo ! 

Spare not thy reed, for thou shalt sing no more ! 80 

Ye holy bards ! — if yet a holj' bard 
Remain, — what chord shall serve you now ! what harp ' 
What harp shall sing the dying Sun asleep. 
And mourn behind the funeral of the Moon ! 
What harp of boundless, deep, exhaustless wo, 
Shall utter forth the groanings of the damned I 
And sing the obsequies of wicked souls ! 
And wail their plunge in the eternal flre ! — 
Hold, hold your hands ! hold, angels ! — God laments, 
And draws a cloud of mourning round his throne ' 90 
The Organ of Eternity is mute ! 
And there is silence in the Heaven of Heavens ! 

Daughters of beauty ! choice of beings made ! 
Much praised, much blamed, much loved ; but fairer far 
Than aught beheld, than aught imagined else 
Fairest, and dearer than all else most dear ; 
Light of the darksome wilderness ! to Time 
As stars to night, whose eyes were spells that held 
The passenger forgetful of his way, 



164 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

[100 
Whose steps were majesty, whose words were song, 
Whose smiles were hope, whose actions, perfect grace. 
Whose love, the solace, glory, and delight 
Of man, his boast, his riches, his renown ; 
When found, sutRcient biiss ! when lost, despair I — 
Stars of creation ! images of love ! 
Break up the fountains of your tears, your tears, 
More eloquent than learned tongue, or lyre 
Of purest note ! your sunny raiment stain, 
Put dust upon your heads, lament and weep, 
And utter all your minstrelsy of wo ! 110 

Go to, ye wicked, weep and howl ; for all 
That God hath written against you is at hand. 
The cry of Violence hath reached his ear. 
Hell is prepared, and Justice whets his sword 
Weep all of every name ! Begin the wo. 
Ye woods, and tell it to the doleful winds ; 
And doleful winds, wail to the howling hills ; 
And howling hills, mourn to the disnlal vales ; 
And dismal vales, sigh to the sorrowing brooks ; [120 
And sorrowing brooks, weep to the weeping stream 
And weeping stream, awake the groaning deep ; 
And let the instrument take up the song. 
Responsive to the voice, harmonious wo ! 
Ye Heavens, great arch-way of the universe. 
Put sackcloth on ; and Ocean, clothe thyself 
In garb of widowhood, and gather all 
Thy waves into a groan, and utter it, 
Long, loud, deep, piercing, dolorous, immense: 
The occasion asks it ! — Nature dies, and God 
And angels come to lay her in the grave ! 1 30 

But we have overleaped our theme ; behind, 
A little season waits a verse or two. 
The years that followed the millennial rest. 
]Jad years they were ; and first, as signal sure, 
Tliat at the core religion was diseased. 
The sons of Levi strove again for place. 
And eminence, and names of swelling pomp; 



BOOK VI. 165 

Setting their feet upon the people's neck, 

And slumbering in the lap of civil power, 

Of civil power again tyrannical : 140 

And second sign, sure sign, whenever seen, 

That holiness was dying in a land, 

The Sabbath was profaned and set at naught ; 

The honest seer, who spoke the truth of God 

Plainly, was left with empty walls ; and round 

The frothy orator, who busked his tales 

In quackish pomp of noisy words, the ear 

Tickling, but leaving still the heart unprobed. 

The judgment uninformed, — numbers immense [150 

Flocked, gaping wide, with passions high inflamed j 

And on the way returning, heated, home. 

Of eloquence, and not of truth, conversed — 

Mean eloquence that wanted sacred truth. 

Two principles from the beginning strove 
In human nature, still dividing man, — 
Sloth and activity; the lust of praise. 
And indolence that rather wished to sleep. 
And not unfrequently in the same mind 
They dubious contest held; one gaining now, 
And now the other crowned, and both again 160 

Keeping the field, with equal combat fought. 
Much different was their voice. Ambition called 
To action. Sloth invited to repose. 
Ambition early rose, and, being up. 
Toiled ardently, and late retired to rest ; 
Sloth lay till mid-day, turning on his couch, 
Like ponderous door upon its weary hinge, 
And, having rolled him out with much ado, 
And many a dismal sigh, and vain attempt, 
He sauntered out, accoutred carelessly, — 170 

With half-oped, misty, unobservant eye. 
Somniferous, that weighed the object down 
On which its burden fell, — an hour or two, 
Then with a groan retired to rest again. 
The one, whatever deed had been achieved, 
Thought it too little, and too small the praise ; 



J 66 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

The other tried to think — for thinking so 
Answered his purpose best — that what of great 
Mankind could do had been already done ; 
And therefore laid him calmly down to sleep. 180 

Different in mode, destructive both alike. 
Destructive always indolence ; and love 
Of fame destructive always too, if less 
Than praise of God it sought, content with less : 
Even then not current, if it sought his praise 
From other motive than resistless love ; 
Though base, main-spring of action in the world ; 
And, under name of vanity and pride, 
Was greatly practised on by cunning men. 
It opened the niggard's purse, clothed nakedness, 190 
Gave beggars food, and threw the Pharisee 
Upon his knees, and kept him long in act 
Of prayer ; it spread the lace upon the fop, 
His language trimmed, and planned his curious gait 
It stuck the feather on the gay coquette, 
And on her finger laid the heavy load 
Of jewellery; it did — what did it not.' 
The gospel preached, the gospel paid, and sent 
The gospel ; conquered nations, cities built, 
Measured the furrow of the field with nice 200 

Directed share, shaped bulls, and cows, and rams, 
And threw the ponderous stone ; and, pitiful, 
Indeed, and much against the grain, it dragged 
The stagnant, dull, predestinated fool 
Through learning's halls, and made him labour much 
Abortively ; though sometimes not unpraised 
He left the sage's chair, and home returned. 
Making his simple mother think that she 
Had borne a man. In schools, designed to root 
Sin up, and plant the seeds of holiness 210 

In youthful minds, it held a signal place. 
The little infant man, by nature proud. 
Was taught the Scriptu.res by the love of praise, 
And grew religious as he grew in fame. 
And thus the principle, which out of heaven > 



BOOK VI. 167 

The devil threw, and threw him down to hell, 

And keeps him there, was made an instrument 

To moralize and sanctify mankind, 

And in their hearts beget humility ; 

With wliat success it needs not now to say. 220 

Destructive both we said, activity 
And sloth: behold the last exemplified, 
In literary man. Not all at once, 
He yielded to the soothing voice of sleep; 
But, having seen a bough of laurel wave, 
He effort made to climb ; and friends, and even 
Himself, talked of his greatness, as at hand, 
And, prophesying, drew his future life. 
Vain prophecy ! his fancy, taught by sloth, 
Saw, in the very threshold of pursuit, 230 

A thousand obstacles ; he halted first. 
And while he halted, saw his burning hopes 
Grow dim and dimmer still; ambition's self, 
The advocate of louaest tongue, decayed ; 
His purposes, made daily, daily broken. 
Like plant uprooted oft, and set again. 
More sickly grew, and daily wavered more , 
Till at the last, decision, quite worn out. 
Decision, fulcrum of the mental powers. 
Resigned the blasted soul to staggering chance ; 240 
Sleep gathered fast, and weighed him downward still ; 
His eye fell heavy from the mount of fame ; 
His young resolves to benefit the world 
Perished and were forgotten; he shut his ear 
Against the painful news of rising worth; 
And drank with desperate thirst the poppy's juice ; 
A deep and mortal slumber settled down 
Upon his weary faculties oppressed ; 
He rolled from side to side, and rolled again ; [250 

And snored, and groaned, and withered, and expired. 
And rotted on the spot, leaving no name. 

The hero best example gives of toil 
Unsanctified. One word his history writes. 



1(38 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

*• Me was a murderer above the laws, 

And greatly praised for doing murderous deeds." 

And now he grew, and reached his perfect growth, 

And also now the sluggard soundest slept, 

And by him lay the uninterred corpse. 

Of every order, sin and wickedness, 
Deliberate, cool, malicious villany, 260 

This age, attained maturity, unknown 
Before ; and seemed in travail to bring forth 
Some last, enormous, monstrous deed of guilt, 
Original, unprecedented guilt. 
That might obliterate the memory 
Of what had hitherto been done most vile. 
Inventive men were paid, at public cost, 
To plan new modes of sin ; the holy Word 
Of God was burned, with acclamations loud ; 
New tortures were invented for the good ; — 270 

For still some good remained, as whiles through sky 
Of thickest clouds, a wandering star appeared; — 
New oaths of blasphemy were framed and sworn ; 
And men in reputation grew, as grew 
The stature of their crimes. Faith was not found. 
Truth was not found, truth always scarce, so scarce 
That half the misery which groaned on earth, 
[n ordinary times, was progeny 
Of disappointment, daily coming forth 
From broken promises, that might have ne'er 280 

Been made, or, being made, might have been kept} 
Justice and mercy, too, were rare, obscured 
In cottage garb : before the palace door. 
The beggar rotted, starving in his rags ; 
And on the threshold of luxurious domes, 
The orphan child laid down his head, and died / 
Nor unamusing was his piteous cry 
To women, who had now laid tenderness 
Aside, best pleased with sights of cruelty ; 
Flocking, when fouler lusts would give them time, 290 
To horrid spectacles of blood, where men, 
Or guiltless beasts, that seemed to look to heaven, 



BOOK VI. 169 

With eye imploring vengeance on the earth, 

Were tortured for the merriment of kings. 

The advocate for him who offered most 

Pleaded ; the scribe, according to the hire, 

Worded the lie, adding, for every piece, 

An oath of confirmation ; judges raised 

One hand to intimate the sentence, death, 

Imprisonment, or fine, or loss of goods, 300 

And in the other held a lusty bribe, 

Which they had taken to give the sentence wrong, 

So managing the scale of justice still, 

That he was wanting found who poorest seemed. 

But laymen most renowned for devilish deeds, 
Laboured at distance still behind the priest; 
He shore his sheep, and, having packed the wool, 
Sent them unguarded to the hill of wolves; 
And to the bowl deliberately sat down, 
And with his mistress mocked at sacred things. 310 

The theatre was, from the very first, 
The favourite haunt of Sin, though honest men, 
Some very honest, wise, and worthy men, 
Maintained it might be turned to good account, 
And so perhaps it might, but never was. 
From first to last, it was an evil place : 
And now such things were acted there, as made 
The devils blush; and from the neighbourhood, 
Angels and holy men, trembling, retired : 
And what with dreadful aggravation crowned 320 

This dreary time, was sin against the light. 
All men knew God, and, knowing, disobeyed ; 
And gloried to insult him to his face. 

Another feature only we shall mark. 
It was withal a highly polished age, 
And scrupulous in ceremonious rite. 
When stranger stranger met upon the way, 
First, each to each bowed most respectfully, 
And large profession made of humble service, 



170 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And then the stronger took the other's purse, 330 

And he that stabbed his neighbour to the heart, 
Stabbed him pohtely, and returned the blade 
Reeking into its sheath with graceful air. 

Meantime the earth gave symptoms of her end, 
And all the scenery above proclaimed, 
That tlie great last catastrophe was near. 
The Sun at rising stai^gered and fell back, 
As one too early up, after a night 

Of late debauch; then rose, and shone again, [340 

Brighter than wont ; and sickened again, and paused 
In zenitli altitude, as one fatigued ; 
And shed a feeble twilight ray at noon, 
Rousing the wolf before his time to cliase 
Tlie shepherd and his sheep, that sought for light, 
And darkness found, astonished, terrified ; 
Then, out of course, rolled furious down the west. 
As chariot reined by awkward charioteer ; 
And, waiting at the gate, he on the earth 
(lazed, as he thought he ne'er might see't again. 
The bow of mercy, heretofore so fair, 350 

Ribbed with the native hues of heavenly love, 
Disastrous colours showed, unseen till now ; 
Changing upon the watery gulf, from pale 
To fiery red, and back again to pale ; 
And o'er it hovered wings of wrath. The Moon 
Swaggered in midst of heaven, grew black, and dark 
Unclouded, uneclipsed. The Stars fell down. 
Tumbling from off their towers like drunken men. 
Or seemed to fall ; and glimmered now, and now 
Sprang out in sudden blaze and dimmed again, 360 
As lamp of foolish virgin lacking oil. 
The heavens, this moment, looked serene ; the next, 
Glowed like an oven with God's displeasure hot. 

Nor less, below, was intimation given, 
Of some disaster great and ultimate. 
The tree tliat bloomed, or hung with clustering fruit. 
Untouched by visible calamity 



BOOK VI. 171 

or frost or tempest, died and came again. 
'J'lie flower and herb fell down as sick; then rose 
And fell again. The fowls of every hue, 370 

Crowding together, sailed on weary wing ; 
And, hovering, oil they seemed about to light; 
Then soared, as if tliey thought the earth unsafe. 
The cattle looked with meaning face on man. 
Dogs howled, and seemed to see more than their mas- 
ters. 
And there were sights that none had seen before ; 
And hollow, strange, unprecedented sounds. 
And earnest whisperings ran along the hills 
At dead of night; and long, deep, endless sighs, 
Came from the dreary vale ; and from the waste 380 
Came horrid shrieks, and fierce unearthly groans, 
Tiie wail of evil spirits, that now felt 
Tlie hour of utter vengeance near at hand. 
The winds from every quarter blew at once. 
With desperate violence, and, whirling, took 
The traveller up, and threw him down again, 
At distance from his path, confounded, pale ; 
And shapes, strange shapes I in winding sheets were 

seen, 
Gliding through night, and singing funeral songs, 
And imitating sad, sepulchral rites ; 390 

And voices talked among the clouds, and still 
The words that men could catch were spoken of them, 
And seemed to be the words of wonder great, 
And expectation of some vast event. 
Earth shook, and swam, and reeled, and opened her 

jaws. 
By Earthquake tossed, and tumbled to and fro ; 
And, louder than the ear of man had heard, 
The Thunder bellowed, and the Ocean groaned. 

The race of men, perplexed, but not reformed. 
Flocking together, stood in earnest crowds, 400 

Conversing of the awful state of things. 
Some curious explanations gave, unlearned; 
Some tried affectedly to laugh, and some 



172 TUB COURSE OF TIME. 

Gazed stupidly ; but all were sad and pale, 

And wished the comment of the wise. Nor less 

These prodigies, occurring night and day, 

Perplexed philosophy. The magi tried, — 

Magi, a name not seldom given to fools, 

In the vocabulary of earthly speech, — 

They tried to trace them still to second cause, 410 

But scarcely satisfied themselves ; though round 

Their deep deliberations, crowding came, 

And, wondering at their wisdom, went away, 

Much quieted and very much deceived. 

The people, always glad to be deceived. 

These warnings passed, they, unregarded, passed, 
And all in wonted order calmly moved. 
The pulse of Nature regularly beat. 
And on her cheek the bloom of perfect health 
Again appeared. Deceitful pulse ! and bloom 420 

Deceitful ! and deceitful calm ' The Earth 
Was old, and worn within ; but, like the man 
Who noticed not his mid-day strength decline, 
L>liding so gently round the curvature 
Of life, from youth to age, — she knew it not. 
The calm was like the calm, which oft the man. 
Dying, experienced before his death; 
The bloom was but a hectic flush, before 
The eternal paleness. But all these were taken, 
J}y this last race of men, for tokens of good; 430 

^\ad blustering public News aloud proclaimed — 
News always gabbling ere they well had thought — 
Prosperity, and joy, and peace; and mocked 
The man who, kneeling, prayed, and trembled still i 
And all in earnest to their sins returned. 

It was not so in heaven. The elders round 
The Throne conversed about the state of man. 
Conjecturing — for none of certain knew — 
That Time was at an end. They gazed intense 
Upon the Dial's face, which yonder stands 440 

In gold, before the Sun of Righteousness, 



BOOK VI. 173 

Jehovah, and computes time, seasons, years 

And destinies, and slowly numbers o'er 

The mighty cycles of eternity ; 

By God alone completely understood, 

But read by all, revealing much to all. 

And now, to saints of eldest skill, the ray, 

Which on the gnomon fell of Time, seemed sent 

From level west, and hasting quickly down. 

The holy Virtues, watching, saw, besides, 450 

Great preparation going on in heaven, ' 

Betokening great event, greater than aught 

That first-created seraphim had seen. 

The faithful messengers, who have for wing 

TJie lightning, waiting, day and night, on God, 

Before his face, beyond their usual speed, 

On pinion of celestial light were seen. 

Coming and going, and their road was still 

From heaven to earth, and back again to heaven: 

The angel of Mercy, bent before the Throne, 460 

By earnest pleading, seemed to hold the hand 

Of Vengeance back, and win a moment more 

Of late repentance for some sinful world 

In jeopardy : and, now, the hill of God, 

The mountain of his majesty, rolled liames 

Of fire, now smiled with momentary love. 

And now again with fiery fierceness burned ; 

And from behind the darkness of his Throne, 

Through which created vision never saw, 

The living Thunders, in their native caves, 470 

Mutteredlhe terrors of Omnipotence, 

And ready seemed, impatient to fulfil 

Some errand of exterminating wrath. 

Meanwhile the Earth increased in wickedness, 
And hasted daily to fill up her cup. 
Satan raged loose. Sin had her will, and Death 
Enough. Blood trode upon the heels of Blood, 
Revenge, in desperate mood, at midnight met 
Revenge, War brayed to War, Deceit deceived 
Deceit, Lie cheated Lie, and Treachery 480 

15* 



174 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Mined under Treachery, and Perjury 
Swore back on Perjury, and Blasphemy 
Arose with hideous Blasphemy, and Curse 
Loud answered Curse ; and drunkard, stumbling, fell 
O'er drunkard fallen ; and husband husband met, 
Returning each from other's bed defiled ; 
Thief stole from thief, and robber on the way 
Knocked robber down, and Lewdness, Violence, 
And Hate, met Lewdness, Violence, and Hate. 
Oh, Earth"! thy hour was come ! the last elect 490 
Was born, complete the number of the good, 
And the last sand fell from the glass of Time. 
The cup of guilt was full up to the brim ; 
And Mercy, weary with beseeching, had 
Retired behind the sword of Justice, red 
With ultimate and unrepenting wrath ; 
But man knew not : he o'er his bowl laughed loud, 
And, prophesying, said, •' To-morrow shall 
As this day be, and more abundant still !" [500 

As thou shalt hear — But, hark ! the trumpet sounds. 
And calls to evening song ; for, though with hymn 
Eternal, course succeeding course extol 
In presence of the incarnate, holy God, 
And celebrate his never-ending praise, — 
Duly at morn and night, the multitudes 
Of men redeemed, and angels, all the hosts 
Of glory, join in universal song. 
And pour celestial harmony, from harps 
Above all number, eloquent and sweet, 
, Above all thought of melody conceived. 510 

And now behold the fair inhabitants. 
Delightful sight ! from numerous business turn, 
And round and round through all the extent of bliss 
Towards the temple of Jehovah bow, 
And worship reverently before his face ! 

Pursuits are various here, suiting all tastes, 
Though holy all, and glorifying God. 
Observe yon band pursue the sylvan stream : 
Mounting among the cliffs, they pull the flower, 



iJOOK VI. 



175 



Springing as soon as pulled, and, marvelling, pry 520 

Into its veins, and circulating blood. 

And wondrous mimicry of higher life ; 

Admire its colours, fragrance, gentle shape ; 

And thence admire the God who made it so — 

So simple, complex, and so beautiful. 

Behold yon other band, in airy robes 
Of bliss. They weave the sacred bower of rose 
And myrtle shade, and shadowy verdant bay, 
And laurel, towering high ; and round their song, 
The pink and lily bring, and amaranth, 530 

Narcissus sweet, and jessamine ; and bring 
The clustering vine, stooping with flower and fruit, 
The peach and orange, and the sparkling stream, 
Warbling with nectar to their lips unasked; 
And talk the while of everlasting love. 

On yonder hill, behold another band, 
Of piercing, steady, intellectual eye, 
And spacious forehead of sublimest thought. 
They reason deep of present, future, past; 
And trace effect to cause ; and meditate 540 

On the eternal laws of God, which bind 
Circumference to centre ; and survey, 
With optic tubes, that fetch remotest stars 
Near them, the systems circling round immense 
Innumerous. See how. — as he, the sage, 
Among the most renowned in days of Time, 
Renowned for large, capacious, holy soul. 
Demonstrates clearly motion, gravity. 
Attraction, and repulsion, still opposed ; 
And dips into the deep, original, 550 

Unknown, mysterious elements of things, — 
See how the face of every auditor 
Expands with admiration of the skill. 
Omnipotence, and boundless love of God ! 

These other, sitting near the tree of life. 
In robes of linen flowing white and clean, 



176 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Of holiest aspect, of divinest soul, 

Angels and men, — into the glory look 

Of the Redeeming Love, and turn the leaves 560 

Of man's redemption o'er, the secret leaves, 

Which none on earth were found worthy to open, 

And, as they read the mysteries divine, 

The endless mysteries of salvation, wrought 

By God's incarnate Son, they liumbler bow 

Before the Lamb, and glow with warmer love. 

These other, there relaxed beneath the shade 
Of yon embowering palms, with friendship smile, 
And talk of ancient days, and young pursuits, 
Of dangers passed, of godly triumphs won ; 
And sing the legends of their native land, 570 

Less pleasing far than this their Father's house 

Behold that other band, half lifted up 
Between the hill and dale, reclined beneath 
The shadow of impending rocks, 'mong streams, 
And thundering waterfalls, and waving boughs; 
That band of countenance sublime and sweet, 
Whose eye, with piercing, intellectual ray. 
Now beams severe, or now bewildered seems, 
Left rolling wild, or fixed in idle gaze. 
While Fancy and the Soul are far from home ; 580 
These hold the pencil, art divine ! and throw 
Before the eye remembered scenes of love ; 
Each picturing to each the hills, and skies, 
And treasured stories of the world he left j 
Or, gazing on the scenery of heaven, 
They dip their hand in colour's native well. 
And, on the everlasting canvass, dash 
Figures of glory, imagery divine. 
With grace and grandeur in perfection knit. 

But, whatso'er these spirits blessed pursue, 590 

Where'er they go, whatever sights they see 
Of glory and bliss through all the tracts of heaven, — 
The centre, still, the figure eminent, 



BOOK VI. 177 

Whither they ever turn, on whom all eyes 
Repose with infinite delight, is God, 
And his incarnate Son, the Lamb once slain 
On Calvary, to ransom ruined men. 

None idle here. Look where thou wilt, they all 
Are active, all engaged in meet pursuit; 
Not happy else. Hence is it that the song 600 

Of heaven is ever new ; for daily thus, 
And nightly new discoveries are made 
Of God's unbounded wisdom, power, and love, 
Which give the understanding larger room. 
And swell the hymn with ever-growing praise. 

Behold they cease ! and every face to God 
Turns ; and we pause from high poetic theme, 
Not worthy least of being sung in heaven ; 
And on unvailed Godhead look from this. 
Our oft- frequented hill. He takes the harp, 610 

Nor needs to seek befiting phrase : unsought, 
Numbers harmonious roll along the lyre ; 
As river in its native bed, they flow 
Spontaneous, flowing with the tide of thought. 
He takes the harp — a bard of Judah leads, 
This night, the boundless song, the bard that once, 
When Israel's king was sad and sick to death, 
A message brought of fifteen added years. 
Before the Throne he stands sublime, in robes 
Of glory ; and now his fingers wake the chords 620 
To praise, which we and all in heaven repeat. 

Harps of Eternity ! begin the song, 
Redeemed and angel harps ! begin to God, 
Begin the anthem ever sweet and new. 
While I extol Him, holy, just, and good. 
Life, beauty, light, intelligence, and love 
Eternal, uncreated, infinite ! 
Unsearchable Jehovah ! God of truth, 
Maker, upholder, governor of all ! 
Thyself unmade, ungoverned, unupheld! 630 



178 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Omnipotent, unchangeable, G^-eat God ! 

Exhaustless fulness ! giving unimpaired ! 

Bounding immensity, unspread, unbound ! 

Highest and best ! beginning, middle, end ! 

All-seeing Eye ! all-seeing, and unseen ! 

Hearing, unheard ! all-knowing, and unknown ! 

Above all praise I above all height of thought ! 

Proprietor of immortality ! 

Glory ineffable ! bliss underived I 

Of old thou builtst thy throne on righteousness, 640 

Before the morning Stars their song began, 

Or silence heard the voice of praise. Thou laidst 

Eternity's foundation stone, and sawst 

Life and existence out of Thee begin. 

Mysterious more, the more displayed, where still 

Upon thy glorious Throne thou sitst alone, 

Hast sat alone, and shalt for ever sit 

Alone, Invisible, Immortal One ! 

Behind essential brightness unbeheld. 

Incompi-ehensible ! what weight sliali weigh, 650 

What measure measure Thee ! What know we more 

Of Thee, what need to know, than Thou hast taught, 

And bidst us still repeat, at morn and even ? — 

God ! Everlasting Father ! Holy One ! 

Our God, our Father, our Eternal All ! 

Source whence we came, and whither we return; 

Who made our spirits, who our bodies made. 

Who made the heaven, who made the flowery land, 

Who made all made, who orders, governs all. 

Who walks upon the wind, who holds the wave 6C0 

In hollow of thy hand, whom thunders wait. 

Whom tempests serve, whom flaming fires obey. 

Who guides the circuit of the endless years. 

And sitst on high, and makest creation's top 

Thy footstool, and beholdst, below Thee, all — 

All naught, all less than naught, and vanity. 

Like transient dust that hovers on the scale, 

Ten thousand worlds are scattered in thy breath. 

Thou sitst on high, and measurest destinies. 

And days, and months, and wide-revolving years* 670 



BOOK VI. 179 

And dost according to thy holy will ; 

And none can stay thy hand, and none withhold 

Thy glory ; for in judgment, Thou, as well 

As mercy, art exalted, day and night. 

Past, present, future, magnify thy name. 

Thy works all praise Thee, all thy angels praise, 

Thy saints adore, and on thy altars burn 

The fragrant incense of perpetual love. 

They praise Thee now, their hearts, their voices praise, 

And swell the rapture of the glorious song. 680 

Harp ! lift thy voice on high ! shout, angels, shout ! 

And loudest, ye redeemed ! glory to God, 

And to the Lamb who bought us with his blood, 

From every kindred, nation, people, tongue ; 

And washed, and sanctified, and saved our souls; 

And gave us robes of linen pure, and crowns 

Of life, and made us kings and priests to God. 

Shout back to ancient Time ! Sing loud, and wave 

Your palms of triumph! sing. Where is thy sting, 

O Death ! where is thy victory, O Grave i 690 

Thanks be to God, eternal thanks, who gave 

Us victory through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Harp ! lift thy voice on high ! shout, angels, shout ( 

And loudest, ye redeemed ! glory to God, 

And to the Lamb, all glory and all praise, 

All glory and all praise, at morn and even, 

That come and go eternally, and find 

Us happy still, and Thee for ever blessed ! 

Glory to God and to the Lamb. Amen. 

For ever, and for evermore. Amen. 700 

And those who stood upon the sea of glass, 
And those who stood upon the battlements 
And lofty towers of New Jerusalem, 
And those who circling stood, bowing afar, 
Exalted on the everlasting hills. 
Thousands of thousands, thousands infinite, 
With voice of boundless love, answered. Amen, 
And through Eternity near, and remots. 
The worlds, adoring, echoed back, Amen 



180 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 710 

The One Eternal, smiled superior bliss ! 
And every eye, and every face in heaven. 
Reflecting and reflected, beamed with love. 

Nor did he not, the Virtue new arrived. 
From Godhead gain an individual smile. 
Of high acceptance, and of welcome high, 
And confirmation evermore in good. 
Meantime the landscape glowed with holy joy. 
Zephyr, with wing dipped from the well of life, 
Sporting through Paradise, shed living dews ; 720 

The flowers, the spicy shrubs, the lawns, refreshed, 
Breathed their selectest balm, breathed odours, such 
As angels love ; and all the trees of heaven, 
The cedar, pine, and everlasting oak. 
Rejoicing on the mountains, clapped their hands. 



COURSE OF TIME 



B00& 17£fi 



16 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK VII 

Afler the Hymn of praise, the Bard resumes his story. He relatei 
the destruction of the Earth, the Resurrection of the dead, and 
the Transformation of the living. 

On the morn of the final day every appearance of Nature veas as 
usual; but at mid-day universal darkness prevailed, and every 
action and motion ceased ; an Angel from Heaven proclaimed 
the end of Time, and another blew the Trump of God, at which 
the dead awoke and the living were changed. 

The remainder of the Book is occupied with a description of cir- 
cumstances connected with the momentous scene ; the living 
surprised in the midst of their thousand various occupations of 
study, iaoor, pleasure, crime ; the dead of every age and nation 
springing to life, in the wilderness, the cultivated field, amid 
ancient ruias. in the streets of populous cities, from the depths 
of the mignty vy&.tera. 



THE 



COURSE OF TIME 



aSoofe 17KK. 



As one who meditates at evening tide, 
Waiwiering alone by voiceless solitudes, 
And flies, in fancy, far beyond the bounds 
Of visible and vulgar things, and things 
Discovered hitherto, pursuing tracts 
As yet untravelled and unknown, through vast 
Of new and sweet imaginings; if chance 
Some airy harp, waked by the gentle sprites 
Of twilight, or light touch of sylvan maid. 
In soft succession fall upon his ear, 10 

And fill the desert with its heavenly tones ; 
He listens intense, and pleased exceedingly, 
And wishes it may never stop ; yet when 
It stops, grieves not ; but to his former thoughts 
With fondest haste returns : so did the Seer, 
So did his audience, after worship passed. 
And praise in heaven, return to sing, to hear 
Of man, not worthy less the sacred lyre, 
Or the attentive ear ; and thus the bard, 
Not unbesought, again resumed his song. 20 

In customed glory bright, that morn, the Sun 
Rose, visiting the earth with light, and heat, 



184 THE COURSE OF TIMF 

And joy; and seemed as full of youth, and strong 
To mount the steep of heaven, as when the Stars 
Of morning sung to his first dawn, and niglit 
Fled from his face ; the spacious sky received 
Him, blushing as a bride, when on her looked 
The bridegroom ; and, spread out beneath his eye. 
Earth smiled. Up to his warm embrace, the Dews, 
That all night long had wept his absence, flew ; 30 
The herbs and flowers their fragrant stores unlocked, 
And gave the wanton breeze, that, newly woke. 
Revelled in sweets, and from its wings shook health, 
A thousand grateful smells ; the joyous woods 
Dried in his beams their locks, wet with the drops 
Of night ; and all the sons of music sung 
Their matin song — from arboured bower, the thrush, 
Concerting with the lark that hymned on high. 
On the green hill the flocks, and in the vale 
The herds, rejoiced ; and, light of heart, the hind 40 
Eyed amorously the milk-maid as she passed, 
Not heedless, though she looked another way. 

No sign was there of change. All nature moved 
In wonted harmony. Men, as they met, 
In morning salutation, praised the day. 
And talked of common things. The husbandman 
Prepared the soil, and silver-tongued Hope 
Promised another harvest. In the streets, 
Each wishing to make profit of his neighbour, 
Merchants, assembling, spoke of trying times, 50 

Of bankruptcies, and markets glutted full, 
Or, crowding to the beach, — where, to their ear. 
The oath of foreign accent, and the noise 
Un<*,outh of trade's rough sons, made music sweet, 
Elate with certain gain, — beheld the bark, 
Expected long, enriched with other climes. 
Into the harbour safely steer *, or saw, 
Parting with many a weeping fo.rewell sad. 
And blessing uttered rude, and sacred pledge. 
The rich-laden carack, bound to distant shore, 60 

And hopefully talked of her coming back, 



BOOK VII. 185 

With richer fraught ; or sitting at the desk, 

In calculation deep and intricate 

Of loss and profit balancing, relieved, 

At intervals, the irksome task, with thought 

Of future ease, retired in villa snug. 

With subtle look, amid his parchments, sat 
The lawyer, weaving his sophistries for court 
To meet at mid-day. On his weary couch, 
Fat Luxury, sick of the night's debauch, 70 

Lay groaning, fretful at the obtrusive beam, 
That through his lattice peeped derisively. 
The restless miser had begun again 
To count his heaps. Before her toilet stood 
The fair, and, as with guileful skill she decked 
Her loveliness, thouglit of the coming ball, 
New lovers, or the sweeter nuptial night. 
And evil men, of desperate, lawless life, 
By oath of deep damnation leagued to ill 
Remorselessly, fled from the face of day, 80 

Against the innocent their counsel held, 
Plotting unpardonable deeds of blood, 
And villanies of fearful magnitude. 
Despots, secured behind a tiiousand bolts, 
The workmanship of fear, forged chains for man. 
Senates were meeting, statesmen loudly talked 
Of national resources, war and peace. 
And sagely balanced empires soon to end ; 
And faction's jaded minions, by the page 
Paid for abuse and ofl-repeated lies, 90 

In daily prints, the thoroughfare of news. 
For party schemes made interest, under cloak 
Of liberty, and right, and public weal. 
In holy conclave, bishops spoke of tithes, 
And of the awful wickedness of men. 
Intoxicate with sceptres, diadems. 
And universal rule, and panting hard 
For fame, heroes were leading on the bravo 
To battle. Men, in science deeply read, 
And academic theory, foretold 100 

16* 



It86 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Improvements vast ; and learned sceptics proved 
That earth should with eternity endure — 
Concluding madly, that there was no God. 

No sign of change appeared : to every man 
That day seemed as the past. From noontide path 
The sun looked gloriously on earth, and all 
Her scenes of giddy folly smiled secure, 
When suddenly, alas, fair earth ! the sun 
Was wrapped in darkness, and his beams returned 
Up to the throne of God, and over all 110 

The earth came night, moonless and starless night. 
Nature stood still. The seas and rivers stood, 
And all the winds and every living thing. 
The cataract, that, like a giant wroth, 
Rushed down impetuously, as seized at once, 
By sudden frost, witli all his hoarj' locks, 
Stood still ; and beasts of every kind stood still. 
A deep and dreadful silence reigned alone I 
Hope died in every breast, and on all men [120 

Caine fear and trembling. None to his neighbour spoke. 
Husband thought not of wife, nor of her child 
The mother, nor friend of friend, nor foe of foe. 
In horrible suspense all mortals stood ; 
And, as they stood and listened, chariots were heard 
Rolling in heaven. Revealed in tlaming fire, 
The angel of God appeared in stature vast. 
Blazing, and, lifting up his hand on high, 
By Him that lives for ever, swore, that Time 
Should be no more. Throughout, creation heard 
And sighed ; all rivers, lakes, and seas, and woods, 130 
Desponding waste, and cultivated vale, 
Wild cave, and ancient hill, and every rock. 
Sighed. Earth, arrested in her wonted path, 
As ox struck by the lifted axe, when naught 
Was feared, in all her entrails deeply groaned. 
A universal crash was heard, as if 
The ribs of Nature broke, and all her dark 
Foundations failed ; and deadly paleness sat 
On every face of man, and every heart 



BOOK VII. 



187 



Grew chill, and every knee his fellow smote. 140 

None spoke, none stirred, none wept; for horror held 

All motionless, and fettered every tongue. 

Again, o'er all the nations silence fell : 

And, in the heavens, robed in excessive light, 

That drove the thick of darkness far aside. 

And walked with penetration keen, through all 

The abodes of men, another angel stood, 

And blew the trump of God : Awake, ye dead, 

Be changed, ye living, and put on the garb 

Of immortality. Awake, arise ! — 150 

The God of judgment comes! This said the voice, 

And Silence, from eternity that slept 

Beyond the sphere of the creating Word, 

And all the noise of Time, awakened, heard. 

Heaven heard, and earth, and farthest hell, through all 

Her regions of despair ; the ear of Death 

Heard, and the sleep that for so long a night 

Pressed on his leaden eyelids, fled; and all 

The dead awoke, and all the living changed. 

Old men, that on their staff, bending, had leaned. 160 
Crazy and frail, or sat, benumbed with age. 
In weary listlessness, ripe for the grave, 
Felt through their sluggish veins and withered limbs, 
New vigour flow ; the wrinkled face grew smooth; 
Upon the head, that Time had razored bare, 
Rose bushy locks ; and as his son in prime 
Of strength and youth, the aged father stood. 
Changing herself, the mother saw her son 
Grow up, and suddenly put on the form 
Of manhood ; and the wretch, that begging sat, 170 
Limbless, deformed, at corner of the way. 
Unmindful of his crutch, in joint and limb, 
Arose complete ; and he, that on the bed 
Of mortal -iickness, worn with sore distress, 
Lay breathing forth his soul to death, felt now 
The tide of life and vigour rushing back ; 
And, looking up, beheld his weeping wife, 
And daughter fond, that o'er him, bending, stooped 



188 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

To close his eyes. The frantic madman, too, 

In whose confiised brain reason had lost 180 

Her way, long driven at random to and fro, 

Grew sober, and his manacles fell off. 

The newly-sheeted corpse arose, and stared 

On those who dressed it ; and the coffined dead, 

That men were bearing to the tomb, awoke, 

And mingled with their friends ; and armies, which 

The trump surprised, met in the furious shock 

Of battle, saw the bleeding ranks, new fallen, 

Rise up at once, and to their ghastly cheeks 

Return the stream of life in healthy flow ; 190 

And as the anatomist, with all his band 

Of rude disciples, o'er the subject hung. 

And impolitely hewed his way, through bones 

And muscles of the sacred human form, 

Exposing barbarously to wanton gaze. 

The mysteries of nature, joint embraced 

His kindred joint, the wovmded flesh grew up, 

And suddenly the injured man awoke, 

Among their hands, and stood arrayed complete 

In immortality — forgiving scarce 200 

The insult offered to his clay in death. 

That was the hour, long wished for by the good. 
Of universal jubilee to all 

The sons of bondage : from the oppressor's hand 
The scourge of violence fell, and from his back, 
Healed of its stripe^;, the burden of the slave. 

The youth of great religious soul, who sat 
Retired in voluntary loneliness, 
in reverie extravagant now wrapped, 
Or poring now on book of ancient date, 210 

With filial awe, and dipping ofl his pen 
To write immortal things ; to pleasure deaf, 
And joys of common men, working his way 
With mighty energy, not uninspired, 
Through all the mines of thought; reckless of pain, 
And weariness, and wasted health, the scoff 



BOOK VII. 189 

Of Pride, or growl of Envy's hellish brood ; 

While Fancy, voyaged far beyond the bounds 

Of years revealed, heard many a future age, 

With commendation loud, repeat his name, — 220 

False prophetess ! the day of change was come, — 

Behind the shadow of eternity. 

He saw his visions set of earthly fame, 

For ever set; nor sighed, while through his veins, 

In lighter current, ran immortal life ; 

His form renewed to undecaying healih ; 

To undecaying health his soul, erewhile 

Not tuned amiss to God's eternal praise. 

All men, in field and city, by the way, 
On land or sea, lolling in gorgeous hall, 220 

Or plying at the oar ; crawling in rags 
Obscure, or dazzling in embroidered gold; 
Alone, in companies, at home, abroad ; 
In wanton merriment surprised and taken, 
Or kneeling reverently in act of prayer ; 
Or cursing recklessly, or uttering lies ; 
Or lapping greedily, from slander's cup. 
The blood of reputation ; or between 
Friendships and brotherhoods devising strife; 
Or plotting to defile a neighbour's bed ; 240 

In duel met with dagger of revenge ; 
Or casting on the widow's heritage 
The eye of covetousness; or, with full hand, 
On mercy's noiseless errands, unobserved, 
Administering ; or meditating fraud 
And dee-ds of horrid barbarous intent; 
In full pursuit of unexperienced hope. 
Fluttering along the flowery path of youth; 
Or steeped in disappointment's bitterness. 
The fevered cup tliat guilt must ever drink, 250 

When parched and fainting on the road of ill ; 
Beggar and king, the clown and haughty lord j 
The venerable sage, and empty fop; 
The ancient matron and the rosy bride ; 
The virgin chaste, and shrivelled harlot vile ; 



190 THE COURSE OP TIME. 

The savage fierce, and man of science, mild; 
The good and evil, in a moment, all 
Were changed, corruptible to incorrupt, 
And mortal to immortal, ne'er to chancre. 

[260 
And now, descending from the bowers of heaven, 
Soft airs o'er all the earth, spreading, were heard, 
And Hallelujahs sweet, the harmony 
Of righteous souls that came to repossess 
Their long-neglected bodies : and anon 
Upon the ear fell horribly the sound 
Of cursing, and the yells of damned despair, 
Uttered by felon spirits, that the trump 
Had summoned from the burning glooms of hell 
To put their bodies on, reserved for wo. 

Now, starting up among the living changed, 270 
Appeared innumerous the risen dead. 
Each particle of dust was claimed : the turf. 
For ages trod beneath the careless foot 
Of men, rose, organized in human form ; 
The monumental stones were rolled away ; 
The doors of death were opened ; and in the dark 
And loathsome vault, and silent charnel house, 
Moving, were heard the mouldered bones, that sought 
Their proper place. Instinctive, every soul 
Flew to its clayey part : from grass-grown mould, 280 
The nameless spirit took its ashes up. 
Reanimate ; and, merging from beneath 
The flattered marble, undistinguished rose 
The great, nor heeded once the lavish rhyme. 
And costly pomp of sculptured garnish vain. 
The Memphian mummy, that, from age to age 
Descending, bought and sold a thousand times, 
In hall of curious antiquary stowed. 
Wrapped in mysterious weeds, the wondrous theme 
Of many an erring tale, shook off" its rags; 290 

And the brown son of Egypt stood beside 
The European, his last purchaser. 
In vale remote, the hermit rose, surprised 



BOOK VII. 191 

At crowds that rose around him, where he thought 

His slumbers had been single j and the bard, 

Who fondly covenanted with his friend, 

To lay his "bones beneath the sighing bough 

Of some old lonely tree, rising, was pressed 

By multitudes that claimed their proper dust 

From the same spot; and he, that, richly hearsed, 300 

With gloomy garniture of purchased wo. 

Embalmed, in princely sepulchre was laid, 

Apart from vulgar men, built nicely round 

And round by the proud heir, who blushed to think 

His father's lordly clay should ever mix 

With peasant dust, — saw by his side awake 

The clown that long had slumbered in his arms. 

The family tomb, to whose devouring mouth 
Descended sire and son, age after age, 
In long, unbroken, hereditary line, 310 

Poured forth, at once, the ancient father rude, 
And all his offspring of a thousand years. 
Refreshed from sweet repose, awoke the man 
Of charitable life — awoke and sung : 
yVnd from his prison house, slowly and sad, 
As if unsatisfied with holding near 
Communion with the earth, the miser drew 
His carcass forth, and gnashed his teeth, and howled, 
Unsolaced by his gold and silver then. 
From simple stone in lonely wilderness, 320 

That hoary lay, o'er-lettered by the hand 
Of oft-frequenting pilgrim, who had taught 
The willow tree to weep, at morn and even. 
Over the sacred spot, — the martyr saint. 
To song of seraph harp, triumphant, rose, 
Well pleased that he had suffered to the death. 
*' The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces," 
As sung the bard by Nature's hand anointed. 
In whose capacious giant numbers rolled 
The passions of old Time, fell lumbering down. 330 
All cities fell, and every work of man, 
And gave their portion forth of human dust, 



192 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Touched by the mortal finger of decay. 
Tree, herb, and flower, and every fowl of heaven, 
And fish, and animal, the wild and tame, 
Forthwith dissolving, crumbled into dust. 

Alas ! ye sons of strength, ye ancient oaks, 
Ye holy pines, ye elms, and cedars tall, 
Like towers of God, far seen on Carmel mount, 
Or Lebanon, that waved your boughs on high, 340 
And laughed at all the winds, — your hour was come ! 
Ye laurels, ever green, and bays, that wont 
To wreath the patriot and the poet's brow, 
Ye myrtle bowers, and groves of sacred shade, 
Where Music ever sung, and Zephyr fanned 
His airy wing, wet with the dews of life, 
And Spring forever smiled, the fragrant haunt 
Of Love, and Health, and ever-dancing Mirth, — 
Alas ! how suddenly your verdure died, 
And ceased your minstrelsy, to sing no more ! 350 

Ye flowers of beauty, penciled by the hand 
Of God, who annually renewed your birth, 
To gem the virgin robes of Nature chaste, 
Ye smiling-featured daughters of the Sun ! 
Fairer than queenly bride, by Jordan's stream 
Leading your gentle lives, retired, unseen ; 
Or on the sainted cliffs on Zion hill 
Wandering, and holding with the heavenly dews, 
In holy revelry, your nightly loves, 
Watched by the stars, and olfering, every morn, 360 
Your incense, grateful both to God and man; — 
Ye lovely, gentle things, alas! no spring 
Shall ever wake you now ! ye withered all, 
All in a moment drooped, and on your roots 
The grasp of everlasting winter seized ! 
Children of song, ye birds that dwelt in air, 
And stole your notes from angel's lyres, and first 
In levee of the morn, with eulogy 
Ascending, hailed the advent of the dawn; 
Or, roosted on the pensive evening bough, 370 

In melancholy numbers, sung the day 



BOOK VI T. 193 

To rest; — your little wings, failing, dissolved, 

In middle air, and on your harmony 

Perpetual silence fell ! Nor did his wing, 

That sailed in track of gods sublime, and fanned 

The s>un, avail the eagle then ; quick smitten, 

His plumage withered in meridian height. 

And, in the valley, sunk the lordly bird, 

A clod of clay. Before the ploughman fell 

His steers, and in midway the furrow left. 380 

The shepherd saw his flocks around him turn 

To dust. Beneath his rider fell the steed 

To ruins : and the lion in his den 

Grew cold and stiff, or in the furious chase, 

With timid fawn, that scarcely missed his paws. 

On earth no living thing was seen but men. 

New-changed, or rising from the opening tomb. 

Athens, and Rome, and Babylon, and Tyre, 
And she that sat on Thames, queen of the seas. 
Cities once famed on earth, convulsed through all 390 
Their mighty ruins, threw their millions forth. 
Palmyra's dead, where Desolation sat. 
From age to age, well pleased, in solitude, 
And silence, save when traveller's foot, or owl 
Of night, or fragment mouldering down to dust, 
Broke faintly on his desert ear, — awoke. 
And Salem, holy city, where the Prince 
Of Life, by death, a'second life secured 
To man, and with him, from the grave, redeemed, 
A chosen number brought, to retinue . 400 

His great ascent on high, and give sure pledge, 
That death was foiled, — her generations, now. 
Gave up, of kings and priests, and Pharisees ; 
Nor even the Sadducee, who fondly said. 
No morn of resurrection e'er should come. 
Could sit the summons ; to his ear did reach 
The trumpet's voice, and, ill prepared for what 
He oft had proved should never be, he rose 
Reluctantly, and on his face began 
To burn eternal shame. The cities, too, 410 

17 



194 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Of old ensepulchred beneath the flood, 

Or deeply slumbering under mountains huge, 

That Earthquake, servant of the wrath of God, 

Had on their wicked population thrown ; 

And marts of busy trade, long ploughed and sown, 

By history unrecorded, or the song 

Of bard, yet not forgotten their wickedness, 

In heaven ; — poured forth their ancient multitudes, 

That vainly wished their sleep had never broke. 

From battle-fields, where men by millions met 420 

To murder each his fellow, and make sport 

To kings and heroes, things long since forgot, 

Jnnumerous armies rose, unbannered all, 

Unpanoplied, unpraised ; nor found a prince, 

Or general, then, to answer for their crimes. 

The hero's slaves, and all the scarlet troops 

Of antichrist, and all that fought for rule, — 

Many high-sounding names, liimiliar once 

On earth, and praised exceedingly, but now 

Familiar most in hell, their dungeon fit, 430 

Where they may war eternally with God's 

Almighty thunderbolts, and win them pangs 

Of keener wo, — saw, as they sprung to life, 

The widow and the orphan ready stand, 

And helpless virgin, ravished in their sport, 

To plead against them at the coming Doom. 

The Roman legions, boasting once, how loud ! 

Of liberty, and fighting bravely o'er 

The torrid and the frigid zone, the sands 

Of burning Egypt, and the frozen hills 440 

Of snowy Albion, to make mankind 

Their thralls, untaught that he who made or kept 

A slave could ne'er himself be truly free, — 

That morning, gathered up their dust, which lay 

Wide-scattered over half the globe ; nor saw 

Their eagled banners then. Sennacherib's hosts, 

Embattled once against the sons of God, 

With insult bold, quick as the noise of mirth 

And revelry, sunk in their drunken camp. 

When death's dark angel, at the dead of night, 450 



BOOK VII. 



195 



Their vitals touched, and made each pulse stand still, — 

Awoke in sorrow; and the multitudes 

Of Gog, and all the fated crew that warred 

Against the chosen saints, in the last days, 

At Armageddon, wlien the Lord came down, 

Mustering his host on Israel's holy hills, 

And, from the treasures of his snow and hail. 

Rained terror, and confusion rained, and death, 

And gave to all the beasts, and fowls of heaven, 

Of captains' flesh, and blood of men of war, 460 

A feast of many days, — revived, and, doomed 

To second death, stood in Hamonah's vale. 

Nor yet did all that fell in battle rise. 
That day, to wailing. Here and there were seen 
The patriot bands that from his guilty throne 
The despot tore, unshackled nations, made 
The prince respect the people's laws, drove back 
The wave of proud invasion, and rebuked 
The frantic fury of the multitude. 
Rebelled, and fought and fell for liberty 470 

Right understood, true heroes in the speech 
Of heaven, where words express the thoughts of him 
Who speaks ; not undistinguished, these, though few, 
That morn, arose, with joy and melody. 

All woke — the north and south gave up their dead. 
The caravan, that in mid-journey sunk. 
With all its merchandise, expected long, 
And long forgot, ingulfed beneath the tide 
Of death, that the wild Spirit of the winds 
Swept, in his wrath, along the wilderness, 480 

In the wide desert, — woke, and saw all calm 
Around, and populous with risen men ; 
Nor of his relics thought the pilgrim then, 
Nor merchant of his silks and spiceries. 

And he, far voyaging from home and friends, 
Too curious, with a mortal eye to peep 
Into the secrets of the Pole, forbid 



196 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

By nature, whom fierce Winter seized, and froze 

To death, and wrapped in winding sheet of ice, 

And sung the requiem of his shivering ghost, 490 

"With the loud organ of his miglity winds, 

And on his memory threw the snow of ages, — 

Felt the long-absent warmth of life return, 

And shook the frozen mountain from his bed. 

All rose, of every age, of every clime. 
Adam and Eve, the great progenitors 
Of all mankind, fair as they seemed, that morn. 
When first they met in Paradise, unfallen, 
Uncursed, — from ancient slumber broke, where once 
Euphrates rolled his stream ; and by them stood, 500 
In stature equal, and in soul as large, 
Their last posterity, though poets sung. 
And sages proved tnem far degenerate. 

Blessed sight ! not unobserved by angels, nor 
Unpraised, — that day, 'mong men of every tribe 
And hue, from those who drank of Tenglio's stream, 
To those who nightly saw the Hermit Cross, 
In utmost south retired, — rising, were seen 
The fair and ruddy sons of Albion's land, [510 

How glad ! — not those who travelled far, and sailed, 
To purchase human flesh, or wreath the yoke 
Of vassalage on savage liberty. 
Or suck large fortune from the sweat of slaves; 
Or, with refined knavery, to cheat. 
Politely villanous, untutored men 
Out of their property ; or gather shells, 
Intaglios rude, old pottery, and store 
Of mutilated gods of stone, and scraps 
Of barbarous epitaphs defaced, to be 
Among the learned the theme of warm debate, 520 
And infinite conjecture, sagely wrong! — 
But those, denied to self, to earthly fame 
Denied, and earthly wealth ; who kindred left, 
And home, and ease, and all the cultured joys, 
Conveniences, and delicate delights, 



BOOK VII. 197 

Of ripe society ; in the great cause 

Of man's salvation greatly valorous, — 

The warriors of Messiah, messengers 

Of peace, and light, and life, whose eye, unsealed, 

Saw up the path of immortality, 530 

Far into bliss, saw men, immortal men. 

Wide wandering from the way; eclipsed ''n night, 

Dark, moonless, moral night ; living like beasts, 

Like beasts descending to the grave, untaught 

Of life to come, unsanctified, unsaved ; 

Who, strong, though seeming weak; who, warlike, 

though 
Unarmed with bow and sword ; appearing mad. 
Though sounder than the schools alone e'er made 
The doctor's head ; devote to God and truth. 
And sworn to man's eternal weal, beyond 540 

Repentance sworn, or thought of turning back; 
And casting far behind all earthly care. 
All countryships, all national regards, 
And enmities, all narrow bourns of state 
And selfish policy ; beneath their feet 
Treading all fear of opposition down. 
All fear of danger, of reproach all fear. 
And evil tongues ; — went forth, from JBritain went, 
A noiseless band of heavenly soldiery, 
From out the armoury of God equipped 550 

Invincible, to conquer sin, to blow 
The trump of freedom in the despot's ear. 
To tell the bruted slave his manhood high. 
His birthright liberty, and in his hand 
To put the writ of manumission, signed 
By God's own signature ; to drive away 
From earth the dark, infernal legionry 
Of superstition, ignorance, and hell ; 
High on the pagan hills, where Satan sat. 
Encamped, and o'er the subject kingdoms threw 560 
Perpetual night, to plant Innnanuel's cross. 
The ensign of the Gospel, blazing round 
Immortal truth ; and, in the wilderness 
Of human waste, to sow eternal life ; 
17* 



198 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And from the rock, where Sin, with horrid yell, 

Devoured its victims unredeemed, to raise 

The melody of grateful hearts to Heaven: 

To falsehood, truth; to pride, humility ; 

To insult, meekness ; pardon to revenge ; 

To stubborn prejudice, unwearied zeal; 570 

To censure, unacc using minds ; to stripes, 

Long suffering ; to want of all things, hope ; 

To death, assured faith of life to come ; — 

Opposing. These great worthies, rising, shone 

Through all the tribes and nations of mankind, 

Like Hesper, glorious ovce among the stars 

Of twilight, and around them, flocking, stood, 

Arrayed in white, the people they had saved. 

Great Ocean ! too, that morning, thou the call 
Of restitution heardst, and reverently 580 

To the last trumpet's voice, in silence, listened. 
Great Ocean ! strongest of creation's sons 
Unconquerable, unreposed, untired, 
That rolled the wild, profound, eternal bass. 
In Nature's anthem, and made music, such 
As pleased the ear of God ! original, 
Unmarred, unfaded work of Deity, 
And unburlesqued by mortal's puny skill, 
From age to age enduring and unchanged, 
Majestical, inimitable, vast, 590 

Loud uttering satire, day and night, on each 
Succeeding race, and little pompous work 
Of man ! — unfallen, religious, holy Sea ! 
Thoubowedst thy glorious head to none, fearedst none, 
Heardst none, to none didst honour, but to God 
Thy Maker, onl}' worthy to receive 
Thy great obeisance ! Undiscovered Sea ! 
Into thy dark, unknown, mysterious caves, 
And secret haunts, unfathomably deep 
Beneath all visible retired, none went, 600 

And came again, to tell the wonders there. 
Tremendous Sea ! what time thou lifted up 
Thy waves on high, and with thy winds ani storms 



BOOK VII. 



199 



Strange pastime took, and shook thy mighty sides 

Indignantly, — the pride of navies fell ; 

Beyond the arm of help, unheard, unseen, 

Sunk friend and foe, with all their wealth and war; 

And on thy shores, men of a thousand tribes, 

Polite and' barbarous, trembling stood, amazed, 

Confounded, terrified, and thought vast thoughts 610 

Of ruin, boundlessness, omnipotence, 

Infinitude, eternity ; and thought 

And wondered still, and grasped, and grasped, and 

grasped 
Again ; beyond her reach, exerting all 
The soul, to take thy great idea in, 
To comprehend incomprehensible ; 
And wondered more, and felt their littleness, 
Self-purifying, unpolluted Sea ! 
Lover unchangeable, thy faitliful breast 
For ever heaving to the lovely Moon, 620 

That, like a shy and holy virgin, robed 
In saintly white, walked nightly in the heavens, 
And to the everlasting serenade 
Gave gracious audience ; nor was wooed in vain. 
That inorning, thou, that slumbered not before, 
Nor slept, great Ocean ! laid thy waves to rest, 
And hushed thy mighty minstrelsy. No breath 
Thv deep composure stirred, no fin, no oar; 
Like beauty newly dead, so calm, so still. 
So lovely, thou, beneath the light that fell 630 

From angel-chariots, sentinelled on high. 
Reposed, and listened, and saw thy living change, 
Thy dead arise. Charybdis listeiied, and Scylla ; 
And savage Euxine, on the Thracian bc-ach, 
Lay motionless : and every battle-ship 
Stood still, and every ship of merchandise, 
And all that sailed, of every name, stood still. 
Even as the ship of war, full-fledged, and swift, 
Like some fierce bird of prey, bore on her foe, 
Opposing with as fell intent, the wind C40 

Ff 11 withered from her wings that idly hung ; 
The stormy bullet, by the cannon thrown 



200 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Uncivilly against the heavenly face 

Of men, half sped, sunk harmlessly, and all 

Her loud, uncircumcised, tempestuous crew, 

How ill prepared to meet their God ! were changed, 

Unchangeable — the pilot at the helm 

Was changed, and the rough captain, while he mouthed 

The huge, enormous oath. The fisherman. 

That in his boat, expectant, watched his lines, 650 

Or mended on the shore his net, and sung, 

Happy in thoughtlessness, some careless air, 

Heard Time depart, and felt the sudden change. 

In solitary deep, far out from land. 

Or steering from the port with many a cheer, 

Or while returning from long voyage, fraught 

With lusty wealth, rejoicing to have escaped 

The dangerous main, and plagues of foreign climes, — 

The merchant quaffed his native air, refreshed ; 

And saw his native hills, in the sun's light, 660 

Serenely rise ; and thought of meetings glad, 

And many days of ease and honour, spent 

Among his friends — unwarned man ! even then, 

The knell of Time broke on his reverie. 

And, in the twinkling of an eye, his hopes, 

All earthly, perished all. As sudden rose, 

From out their watery beds, the Ocean's dead, 

Renewed ; and, on the unstirring billows, stood 

From pole to pole, thick covering all the sea — 

Of every nation blent, and every age. 670 

Wherever slept one grain of human dust. 
Essential organ of a human soul, 
Wherever tossed, obedient to the call 
Of God's omnipotence, it hurried on 
To meet its fellow particles, revived, 
Rebuilt, in union indestructible. 
No atom of his spoils remained to Death. 
From his strong arm, by stronger arm released, 
Immortal now in soul and body both. 
Beyond his reach, stood all the sons of men, 680 

And saw, behind, his valley lie, unfeared. 



BOOK VII. 



mi 



O Death ! with what an eye of desperate lust, 
From out thy emptied vaults, thou then didst look 
Afler the risen multitudes of all 
Mankind ! Ah ! thou hadst been the terror long, 
And murderer, of all of woman born. 
None could escape thee ! In thy dungeon house, 
Where darkness dwelt, and putrid loathsomeness, 
And fearful silence, villanously still, 
And all of horrible and deadly name, — 690 

Thou satst, from age to age, insatiate, 
And drank the blood of men, and gorged their flesh, 
And with thy iron teeth didst grind their bones 
To powder, treading out, beneath thy feet. 
Their very names and memories. The blood 
Of nations could not slake thy parched throat. 
No bribe could buy thy favour for an hour, 
Or mitigate thy ever-cruel rage 
For human prey. Gold, beauty, virtue, youth. 
Even helpless, swaddled innocency, failed 700 

To soften thy heart of stone ! the infant's blood 
Pleased well thy taste, and, while the mother wept, 
Bereaved by thee, lonely and waste in wo, 
Thy ever-grinding jaws devoured her too. 

Each son of Adam's family beheld. 
Where'er he turned, whatever path of life 
He trode, thy goblin form before him stand, 
Like trusty old assassin, in his aim 
Steady and sure as eye of destiny, 
With sithe, and dart, and strength invincible, 710 

Equipped, and ever menacing his life. 
He turned aside, he drowned himself in sleep. 
In wine, in pleasure ; travelled, voyaged, sought 
Receipts for health from all he met ; betook 
To business, speculate, retired ; returned 
Again to active life, again retired ; 
Returned, retired a^ain ; prepared to die, 
Talked of thy nothingness, conversed of life 
To come, laughed at his fears, filled up the cup, 
Drank deep, refrained ; filled uo, refrained again j 720 



THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Planned, built him round with splendour, won applausej 

Made large alliances with men and things, 

Read deep in science and philosophy, 

To fortify his soul ; heard lectures prove 

The present ill, and future good ; observed 

His pulse beat regular, extended hope ; 

Thought, dissipated thought, and thought again ; 

Indulged, abstained, and tried a thousand schemes, 

To ward thy blow, or hide thee from his eye ; 

But still thy gloomy terrors, dipped in sin, 730 

Before him frowned, and withered all his joy. 

Still, feared and hated thing ! thy ghostly shape 

Stood in his avenues of fairest hope ; 

Unmannerly and uninvited, crept 

Into his haunts of most select delight. 

Still, on his halls of mirth, and banqueting. 

And revelry, thy shadowy hand was seen 

Writing thy name of— Death. Vile worm, that gnawed 

The root of all his happiness terrene, the gall 

Of all his sweet, the tJiorn of every rose 740 

Of earthly bloom, cloud of his noon day sky. 

Frost of his spring, sigh of his loudest laugh, 

Dark spot on every form of loveliness, 

Rank smell amidst his rarest spiceries. 

Harsh dissonance of all his harmony. 

Reserve of every promise, and the if 

Of all to-morrows ! — now, beyond thy vale. 

Stood all the ransomed multitude of men. 

Immortal all : and, in their visions, saw 

Thy visage grim no more. Great payment day ! 750 

Of all thou ever conquered, none was left 

In thy unpeopled realms, so populous once. 

He, at whose girdle hang the keys of death, 

And life, not bought but with the blood of Him 

Who wears, the eternal Son of God, that morn, 

Dispelled the cloud that sat so long, so thick, 

So heavy o'er thy vale ; opened all thy doors. 

Unopened before ; and set thy prisoners free. 

Vain was resistance, and to follow vain. 

In thy unveiled caves, and solitudes 760 



BOOK VII, 203 

Of dark and dismal emptiness, thou satst, 
Rolling thy hollow eyes, disabled thing ! 
Helpless, despised, unpitied, and unfeared, 
Like some fallen tyrant, chained in sight of all 
The people ; from thee dropped thy pointless dart, 
Thy terrors withered all, thy ministers, 
Annihilated, fell before thy face, 
\nd on thy maw eternal Hunger seized. 

Nor yet, sad monster ! wast thou left alone. 
In thy dark dens some phantoms still remained,— 770 
Ambition, Vanity, and earthly Fame, 
Swollen Ostentation, meagre Avarice, 
Mad Superstition, smooth Hypocrisy, 
And Bigotry intolerant, and Fraud, 
And wilful Ignorance, and sullen Pride, 
Hot Controversy, and the subtle ghost 
Of vain Philosophy, and worldly Hope, 
And sweet-lipped, hollow-hearted Flattery. 
All these, great personages once on earth, 
And not unfollowed, nor unpraised, were left, 780 

Thy ever-unredeemed, and with thee driven 
To Erebus, through whose uncheered wastes, 
Thou mayest chase them, with thy broken sithe 
Fetching vain strokes, to all eternity. 
Unsatisfied, as men who, in the days 
Of Time, their unsubstantial forms pursued. 



COURSE OF TIME 



asoofe uxriK. 



18 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK VIII. 

The Bard describes the appearance of the vast Assembly of men 
gathered for the Final Judgnient. 

AH were divested of the extraneous circumstances by which they 
were distinguished in life, each retaining simply his moral char- 
acter. Various classes in the assembly are particularized ; the 
lover of fame, the logician, the recluse, the bigot, the indolent, 
the sceptic, the dupe of fashion,»the unforgiving parent, the se- 
ducer, the dishonest juage and advocate, the liar, duellist, sui- 
cide, hypocrite, the slanderer, the ungodly minister, the man of 
envy. 

When the Bard has named these classes, and presented their char- 
ttcior, ana meir reelings in the awful Assembly, the Spirit 
whose inquiries had given occasion for the Bard's communi- 
cations, asks whether any of the several classes of the unholy 
ever actually believed themselves advancing to a future Bar of 
Judgment. The answer is given that they did not. The word 
of God was properly and perfectly believed by none of them; 
the necessary and certain fruit of faith being obedience and 
holiness. 



THE 



COURSE OF TIME 



3Soofe UJJI'fi. 



Rkani.matkd, now, and dressed in robes 
Of everlaslin<r wear, in the last pause 
Of expectation, stood the human race, 
Buoyant in air, or covering shore and sea, 
From east to west, thick as the eared grain, 
In golden autumn waved, from field to field, 
Profuse, by Nilus' fertile wave, while yet 
Earth was, and men were in her valleys seen. 

Still, all was calm in heaven. Nor yet appeared [10 
The judge, nor aught appeared, save here and there, 
On wing of golden plumage borne at will, 
A curious angel, that from out the skies 
Now glanced a look on man, and then retir?d. 
As calm was all on earth. The ministers 
Of God's unsparing vengeance, waited, still 
Unbid. No sun, no moon, no star, gave light. 
A blessed and holy radiance, travelled far 
From day original, fell on the face 
Of men, and every countenance revealed; 
Unpleasant to the bad, whose visages 20 

Had lost all guise of seeming happiness, 
With which on earth such pains they took to hide 



208 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Their miseiy in. On their grim features, now 

The plain, unvisored index of the soul, 

The true, untampered witness of the heart, 

No smile of hope, no look of vanity 

Beseeching for applause, was seen ; no scowl 

Of self-important, all-despising pride, 

That once upon tlie poor and needy fell, 

Like winter on the unprotected flower, 30 

Withering their very being to decay. 

No jesting mirth, no wanton leer, was seen, 

No sullen lower of braggart fortitude 

Defying pain, nor anger, nor revenge ; 

But fear instead, and terror, and remorse ; 

And chief, one passion, to its answering, shaped 

The features of the damned, and in itself 

Summed all the rest, — unutterable despair. 

What on the righteous shone of foreign light, 
Was all redundant day, they needed not. 40 

For as, by nature. Sin is dark, and loves 
The dark, still hiding from itself in gloom, 
And in the darkest hell is still itself 
The darkest hell, and the severest wo. 
Where all is wo ; so Virtue, ever fair ! 
Doth by a sympathy as strong as binds 
Two equal hearts, well pleased in wedded love. 
For ever seek the light, for ever seek 
All fair and lovely things, all beauteous forms, 
All images of excellence and truth ; 50 

And from her own essential being, pure 
As flows the fount of life that spirits drink. 
Doth to herself give light, nor from her beams, 
As native to her as her own existence. 
Can be divorced, nor of her glory shorn, — 
Which now, from every feature of the just. 
Divinely rayed, yet not from all alike ; 
In measure, equal to the soul's advance 
In virtue, was the lustre of the face. 

It was a strange assembly : none, of all 60 

That congregation vast, could recollect 



BOOK VIII. 



209 



Aught like it in the history of man. 
No badge of outward state was seen, no mark 
Of age, or rank, or national attire. 
Or robe professional, or air of trade. 
Untitled, stood the man that once was called 
My lord, unserved, unfoUowed ; and the man 
Of tithes, right reverend in the dialect 
Of Time addressed, ungowned, unbeneficed, 
Uncorpulent ; nor now, from him who bore, 70 

With ceremonious gravity of step. 
And face of borrowed holiness o'erlaid. 
The ponderous book before the awful priest, 
And opened and shut the pulpit's sacred gates 
In style of wonderful observancy 
And reverence excessive, in the beams 
Of sacerdotal splendour lost, or if 
Observed, comparison ridiculous scarce 
Could save the little, pompous, humble man 
From laughter of the people,— not from him 80 

Could be distinguished then the priest untithed. 
None levees held, those marts where princely smiles 
Were sold lor flattery, and obeisance mean, 
Unfit from man to man ; none came or went, 
None wished to draw attention, none was poor. 
None rich, none young, none old, deformed none ; 
None sought for place or favour, none had aught 
To give, none could receive, none ruled, none served; 
No king, no subject was ; unscutcheoned all. 
Uncrowned, unplumed, unhelmed, unpedigreed, 90 
Unlaced, uncoroneted, unbestarred. 
Nor countryman was seen, nor citizen ; 
Republican, nor humble advocate 
Of monarchy ; nor idol worshipper, 
Nor beaded papist, nor Mahometan ; 
Episcopalian none, nor presbyter ; 
Nor Lutheran, nor Calvanist, nor Jew, 
Nor Greek, nor sectary of any name. 
Nor, of those persons, that loud title bore, 
Most high and mighty, most magnificent, 100 

Most potent, most august, most worshipful, 
18* 



210 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Most eminent, words of great pomp, that pleased 
The ear of vanity, and made the worms 
Of earth mistake themselves for gods, — could one 
Be seen, to claim these phrases obsolete. 

It was a congregation vast of men. 
Of unappendaged and unvarnished men, 
Of plain, unceremonious human beings, 
Of all but moral character bereaved. 
His vice or virtue, now, to each remained, 110 

Alone. All else, with their grave-clothes, men had 
Put off,^ as badges worn by mortal, not 
Immortal man ; alloy that could not pass 
The scrutiny of Death's refining fires ; 
Dust of Time's wheels, by multitudes pursued 
Of fools that shouted — Gold ! fair painted fruit, 
At which the ambitious idiot jumped, while men 
Of wiser mood immortal harvest reaped ; 
Weeds of the human garden, sprung from earth's 
Adulterate soil, unfit to be transplanted, 12U 

Though by the moral botanist, too oft, 
For plants of heavenly seed mistaken and nursed, 
Mere chaff, that Virtue, when she rose from earth, 
And waved her wings to gain her native heights, 
Drove from the verge of being, leaving Vice 
No mask to hide her in ; base-born of Time, 
in which God claimed no propert}', nor had 
Prepared for them a place in heaven or hell. 
Yet did these vain distinctions, now forgot, 
Bulk largely in the filmy eye of Time, IcJU 

And were exceeding fair, and lured to death 
Immortal souls. But they were passed, for all 
Ideal now was passed ; reality 
Aione remained ; and good and bad, redeemed 
And unredeemed, distinguished sole the sons 
Of men. Each, to his proper self reduced. 
And undisguised, was what his seeming showed. 

The man of earthly fame, whom common men 
Made boast of having seen, who scarce could pass 



COOK VIII 211 

The ways of Time, for eager crowds that pressed 140 

To do him homage, and pursued his ear 

With endless praise, for deeds unpraised above, 

And yoked their brutal natures, iionoured much 

To drag his chariot on, — unnoticed stood, 

With none to praise him, none to flatter there. 

Blushing and dumb, that morning, too, was seen 
The mighty reason er, he who deeply searched 
The origin of things, and talked of good 
And evil, much, of causes and etfects. 
Of mind and matter, contradicting all 150 

Tliat went before him, and himself, the v/hile, 
I'fie laughing-stock of angels; diving far 
Below his depth, to fetch reluctant proof, 
That he himself was mad and wicked too. 
When, proud and ignorant man. he meant to prove 
That God had made the universe amiss. 
And sketched a better plan. Ah ! foolish sage ! 
He could not trust the word of Heaven, nor see 
The light which from the Bible blazed, — that lamp 
Which God threw from his palace down to earth, 160 
To guide his wandering children home, — yet leaned 
His cautious faith on speculations wild, 
And visionary theories absurd. 
Prodigiously, deliriously absurd, 
Compared with which, the most erroneous flight 
That poet ever took when warm with wine, 
Was moderate conjecturing : he saw, 
Weighed in the balance of eternity. 
His lore how light, and wished, too late, that he 
Had staid at home, and learned to know himself, 170 
And done, what peasants did, disputed less. 
And more obeyed. Nor less he grieved his time 
Misspent, the man of curious research. 
Who travelled far through lands of hostile clime 
And dangerous inhabitant, to fix 
The bounds of empires passed, and ascertain 
The burial-place of heroes, never born ; 
Despising present things, and future too, 



212 



THE COURSE OF TIAIE. 



And groping in the dark unsearchable 

Of finished years, — by dreary ruins seen, 180 

And dungeons damp, and vaults of ancient waste, 

With spade and mattock, delving deep to raise 

Old vases and dismembered idols rude ; 

With matchless perseverance, spelling out 

Words without sense. Poor man ! he clapped his 

hands. 
Enraptured, when he found a manuscript 
That spoke of pagan gods ; and yet forgot 
The God who made the sea and sky, alas ! 
Forgot that trifling was a sin ; stored much 
Of dubious stuff, but laid no treasure up 190 

In heaven ; on mouldered columns scratched his name. 
But ne'er inscribed it in the book of life. 

Unprofitable seemed, and unapproved, 
That day, the sullen, self-vindictive life 
Of the recluse. With crucifixes hung, 
And spells, and rosaries, and wooden saints, 
Like one of reason reft, he journeyed forth, 
In show of miserable poverty. 
And chose to beg, — as if to live on sweat 
Of other men, had promised great reward; 200 

On his own flesh inflicted cruel wounds, 
With naked foot embraced the ice, by the hour 
Said mass, and did most grievous penance vile ; 
And then retired to drink the filthy cup 
Of secret wickedness, and fabricate 
All lying wonders, by the untaught received 
For revelations neAv. Deluded wretch I 
Did he not know, that the most Holy One 
Required a cheerful life and holy heart .'' 

Most disappointed in that crowd of men, 210 

The man of subtle controversy stood. 
The bigot theologian, in minute 
Distinctions skilled, and doctrines unreduced 
To practice ; in debate how loud ! how long ! 
How dexterous ' in Christian love how cold ! 



BOOK VIII. 213 

His vain conceits were orthodox alone. 

The immutable and heavenly truth, revealed 

By God, was naught to him. He had an art, 

A kind of hellish charm, that made the lips 

Of trutli speak falsehood, to his liking turned 220 

The meaning of the text, made trifles seem 

The marrow of salvation ; to a word, 

A name, a sect, that sounded in the ear, 

And to the eye so many letters showed, 

But did no more, — gave value infinite ; 

Proved still his reasoning best, and his belief, 

Though propped on fancies wild as madmen's dreams^ 

Most rational, most scriptural, most sound; 

With mortal heresy denouncing all 

Who in his arguments could see no force. 250 

On points of faith, too fine for human sight, 

And never understood in heaven, he placed 

His everlasting hope, undoubting placed. 

And died ; and, when he opened his ear, prepared 

To hear, beyond the grave, the minstrelsy 

Of bliss, he heard, alas ! the wail of wo. 

He proved all creeds false but his own, and found, 

At last, his own most false — most false, because 

He spent his time to prove all others so. 

O love-destroying, cursed Bigotry ! 240 

Cursed in heaven, but cursed more in hell. 
Where millions curse thee, and must ever curse ! 
Religion's most abhorred ! perdition's most 
Forlorn ! God's most abandoned ! hell's most damned! 
The infidel, who turned his impious war 
Against the walls of Zion, on the rock 
Of ages built, and higher than the clouds. 
Sinned, and received his due reward ; but she 
Within her walls sinned more. Of Ignorance 
Begot, her daughter, Persecution, walked 350 

The earth, from age to age, and drank the blood 
Of saints, with horrid relish drank the blood 
Of God's peculiar children, and was drunk, 
And in her drunkenness dreamed of doing good. 



%tM THE COURSE OF TIME. 

The supplicating Jiand of innocence, 

That made the tiger mild, and in his wrath 

Tlie lion pause, the groans of suffering most 

Severe, were naught to her ; she laughed at groans : 

No music pleased her more, and no repast 

So sweet to her, as blood of men redeemed 260 

By blood of Chris-t. Ambition's self, though mad, 

And nursed on human gore, with her compared, 

Was merciful. Nor did she always rage. 

She had some hours of meditation, set 

Apart, wherein she to her study went, 

The Inquisition, model most complete 

Of perfect wickedness, where deeds were done, — 

Deeds 1 let thom ne'er be najnod, — and sat and planned 

Deliberately, and with most musing pains, 

How, to extremest thrill of agony, 270 

The flesh, and blood, and souls of holy men, 

Her victims, might be wrought ; and when she saw 

New tortures of her labouring fancy born. 

She leaped for joy, and made great haste to try 

Their force — well pleased to hear a deeper groan. 

But now her day of mirth was passed, and come 
Her day to weep, her day of bitter groans, 
And sorrow unbemoaned, the day of grief 
And wrath retributory poured in full 
On all that took her part. Tlie man of sin, 280 

The mystery of iniquity, her friend 
Sincere, who pardoned sin, unpardoned still, 
And in tlie name of God blasphemed, and did 
All wicked, nil abominable things. 
Most abject stood, that day, by devils hissed. 
And by the looks of those he murdered, scorched; 
And plagued with inward shame, that on his cheek 
Burned, while his votaries, who left the earth. 
Secure of bliss, around him, undeceived, 
Stood, undeceivable till then ; and knew, 290 

Too late, him fallible, themselves accursed. 
And all their passports and certificates, 
A lie : nor disappointed more, nor more 



BOOK VIII. 215 

Ashamed, the Mussulman, when he saw, gnash 
His teeth and wail, whom he expected judge. 
All these were damned for bigotry, were damned. 
Because they thought, that they alone served God, 
And served him most, when most they disobeyed 

Of those forlorn and sad, thou mightst have marked. 
In number most innumerable, stand 300 

The indolent ; too lazy these to make 
Inquiry for themselves, they stuck their faith 
To some well-fatted priest, with offerings bribed 
To bring them oracles of peace, and take 
Into his management all the concerns 
Of their eternity ; managed how well 
They knew, that day, and might have sooner known, 
That the commandment was, Search, and believe 
In Me, and not in man ; who leans on him 
Leans on a broken reed, that will impierce 310 

The trusted side. 1 am the way, the truth 
The life, alone, and there is none besides. 

This did they read, and yet refused to search, 
To search what easily was found, and, found, 
Of price uncountable. Most foolish, they 
Thought God with ignorance pleased, and blinded faith, 
That took not root in reason, purified 
With holy influence of his Spirit pure 
So, on they walked, and stumbled in the Hght 
Of noon, because they would not open their eyesj 320 
Eflect how sad of sloth ! that made them risk 
Their piloting to the eternal shore. 
To one who could mistake the lurid flash 
Of hell for heaven's true star, rather than bow 
The knee, and by one fervent word obtain 
His guidance sure, who calls the stars by name. 
They prayed by proxy, and at second hand 
Believed, and slept, and put repentance off, 
Until the knock of death awoke them, when 
They saw their ignorance both, and him they paid 230 
To bargain of their souls 'twixt tliem and God, 



S16 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Fled, and began repentance without end. 
How did they wish, that morning, as they stood 
With blushing covered, they had for themselves 
The Scripture searched, had for themselves believed, 
And made acquaintance with the Judge ere then ! 

Great day of termination to the joys 
Of sin ! to joys that grew on mortal boughs, 
On trees whose seed fell not from heaven, whose top 
Reached not above the clouds. From such, alone, 340 
The epicure took all his meals. In choice 
Of morsels for the body, nice he was, 
And scrupulous, and knew all wines by smell 
Or taste, and every composition knew 
Of cookery ; but grossly drank, unskilled, 
The cup of spiritual pollution up, 
That sickened his soul to death, while yet his eyes 
Stood out with fat. His feelings were his guide. 
He ate, and drank, and slept, and took all joys, 
Forbid and unforbid, as impulse urged 350 

Or appetite, nor asked his reason why. 
He said, he followed Nature still, but lied ; 
For she was temperate and chaste, he full 
Of wine and all adultery ; her face 
Was holy, most unholy his ; her eye 
Was pure, his shot unhallowed fire ; her lips 
Sang praise to God, his uttered oaths profane ; 
Her breath was sweet, his rank with foul debauch ; 
Yet pleaded he a kind and feeling heart, 
Even when he left a neighbour's bed defiled. 360 

Like migratory fowls, that flocking sailed 
From isle to isle, steering by sense alone. 
Whither the clime their liking best beseemed ; 
So he was guided, so he moved through good 
And evil, right and wrong, but, ah ! to fate 
All different : they slept in dust, unpained ; 
He rose, that day, to suffer endless pain. 

Cured of his unbelief, the sceptic stood, 
Who doubted of his being while he breathed. 



BOOK VIII. 217 

Than whom glossography itself, that spoke 370 

Huffe folios of nonsense ev:iry hour, 

And left, surrounding every page, its marks 

Of prodigal stupidity, scarce more 

Of folly raved. The tyrant too, who sat 

In grisly council, like a spider couched, 

With ministers of locust countenance, 

And made alliances to rob mankind. 

And holy termed, — for still, beneath a name 

Of pious sound, the wicked sought to veil 

Their crimes, — forgetful of his right divine, 380 

Trembled, and owned oppression was of hell j 

Nor did the uncivil robber, who unpursed 

The traveller on the high- way, and cut 

His throat, anticipate severer doom. 

In that assembly there was one, who, while 
Beneath the sun, aspired to be a fool ; 
In different ages known by different names, 
Not worth repeating here. Be this enough, 
With scrupulous care exact, he walked the rounds 
Of fashionable duty, laughed when sad ; 390 

When merry, wept ; deceiving, was deceived ; 
And flattering, flattered. Fashion was his god. 
Obsequiously he fell before its shrine, 
In slavish plight, and trembled to offend. 
If graveness suited, he was grave ; if else, 
He travailed sorely, and made brief repose, 
To work the proper quantity of sin. 
In all submissive, to its changing shape, 
Still changing, girded he his vexed frame, 
And laughter made to men of sounder head. 400 

Most circumspect he was of bows, and nods. 
And salutations ; and most seriously 
And deeply meditated he of dress ; 
And in his dreams saw lace and ribbons fly. 
His soul was naught ; he damned it, every day, 
Unceremoniously. Oh ! fool of fools ! 
Pleased with a painted smile, he fluttered on, 
Like flv of joraudy plume, by fashion driven, 
19 



5JI8 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

As faded leaves by Autumn s wind, till Death 

Put forth his hand, and drew him out of sight. 410 

Oh ! fool of fools ! polite to man ; to God 

.Host rude ; yet had he many rivals, who, 

Age after age, great striving made to be 

Ridiculous, and lo forget they had 

Immortal souls, that day remembered well. 

As rueful stood his other hall, as wan 
Of cheek. Small her ambition was, but strange. 
The distaff, needle, all domestic cares, 
Religion, children, husband, home, were things 
She could not bear the thought of, bitter drugs 420 
That sickened her soul. The house of wanton mirth 
And revelry, the mask, the dance, she loved, 
And in their service soul and body spent 
Most cheerfully. A little admiration. 
Or true or false, no matter which, pleased her. 
And o'er the wreck of fortune lost, and health 
And peace, and an eternity of bliss 
Lost, made her sweetly smile. She was convinced. 
That God had made her greatly out of taste ; 
And took much pains to make herself anew. 430 

Bedaubed with paint, and hung with on^ainents 
Of curious selection, gaudy toy ! 
A show unpaid for, paying to be seen ! 
As beggar Ijy the way, most humbly asking 
The alms of public gaze, — she went abroad. 
Folly admired, and indication gave 
Of envy, cold Civility made bows 
And smoothly flattered, Wisdom shook his head, 
And Laughter shaped his lip into a smile ; 
Sobriety did stare. Forethought grew pale, 440 

And Modesty hung down the head and blushed. 
And Pity wept, as, on the frothy surge 
Of fashion tossed, she ])assed them by, like sail 
Before some devilish blast, and got no time 
To think, and never thought, till on the rock 
She dashed, of ruin, anguish, and despair 



BOOK VIII. 219 

O how unlike this giddy thing in Time ! 
And at the day of judgment how unlike, 
The modest, meek, retiring dame ! Her house 
Was ordered well, her children taught the way 450 
Of life, who, rising up in honour, called 
Her blessed. Best pleased to be admired at home, 
And bear, reflected from her husband's praise, 
Her own, she sought no gaze of foreign eye ; 
His praise alone, and faithful love, and trust 
Reposed, was happiness enough for her. 
Yet who, that saw her pass, and heard the poor 
With earnest benedictions on her steps 
Attend, could from obeisance keep his eye, 
Or tongue from due applause ? In virtue fair, 460 
Adorned with modesty, and matron grace 
Unspeakable, and love, her face was like 
The light, most welcome to the eye of man, 
Refreshing most, most honoured, most desired, 
Of all he saw in the dim world below. 
As Morning when she shed her golden locks, 
And on the dewy top of Hermon walked, 
Or Zion hill ; so glorious was her path. 
Old men beheld, and did her reverence, 
And bade their daughters look, and take from her 470 
Example of their future life ; the young 
Admired, and new resolve of virtue made. 
And none who was her husband asked ; his air 
Serene, and countenance of joy, the sign 
Of inward satisfaction, as he passed 
The crowd, or sat among the elders, told. 
In holiness complete, and in the robes 
Of saving righteousness, arrayed for heaven, 
How fair, that day, among the fair, she stood ! 
How lovely on the eternal hills her steps ! 480 

Restored to reason, on that morn, appeared 
The lunatic, who raved in chains, and asked 
No mercy when he died. Of lunacy, 
Innumerous were the causes ; humbled pride, 
Ambition disappointed, riches lost. 



€KJO THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And bodily disease, and sorrow, oft 

By man inflicted on his brother man ; 

Sorrow that made the reason drunk, and yet 

Left much untasted — so the cup was filled ; 

Sorrow that, like an ocean, dark, deep, rough, 490 

And shoreless, rolled its billows o'er the soul 

Perpetually, and without hope of end. 

Take one example, one of female wo. 
Loved by a father and a mother's love, 
In rural peace she lived, so fair, so light 
Of heart, so good, and young, that reason, scarce, 
The eye could credit, but would doubt, as she 
Did stoop to pull the lily or the rose 
From morning's dew, if it reality 

Of flesh and blood, or holy vision, saw, 500 

In imagery of perfect womanhood. 
But short her bloom, her happiness was short. 
One saw her loveliness, and, with desire 
Unhallowed, burning, to her ear addressed 
Dishonest words : " Her favour was his life, 
His heaven ; her frown his wo, his night, his death. 
With turgid phrase, thus wove in flattery's loom, 
He on her womanish nature won, and age 
Suspicionless, and ruined, and forsook. 
For he a chosen villain was at heart, 510 

And capable of deeds that durst not seek 
Repentance. Soon her father saw her shame, 
His heart grew stone, he drove her forth to want 
And wintry winds, and with a horrid curse 
Pursued her ear, forbidding all return. 

Upon a hoary cliff, that watched the sea, 
Her babe was found — dead. On its little cheek, 
The teur that nature bade it weep, had turned 
An ice-drop, sparkling in the morning beam ; 
And to the turf its helpless hands were frozen. 520 
For she, the woful mother, had gone mad, 
And laid it down, regardless of its fate, 
And of her own. Yet had she many days 



BOOK VIII. 221 

Of sorrow in the world, but never wept. 

She lived on alms, and carried in her hand 

Some withered stalks she gathered in the spring. 

When any asked the cause, she smiled and said, 

They were her sisters, and would come and watch 

Her grave when she was dead. She never spoke 

Of her deceiver, father, mother, home, 530 

Or child, or heaven, or hell, or God, but still 

In lonely places walked, and ever gazed 

Upon the withered stalks, and talked to them ; 

Till, wasted to the shadow of her youth. 

With wo too wide to see beyond, she died — 

Not unatoned for by imputed blood, 

Nor by the Spirit, that mysterious works, * 

Unsanctified. Aloud, her father cursed, 

That day, his guilty pride, which would not own 

A daughter, whomme God of heaven and earth 540 

Was not ashamed to call his own : and he, 

Who ruined her, read from her holy look. 

That pierced him with perdition manifold, 

His sentence, burning with vindictive fire. 

The judge that took a bribe ; he who ami&s 
Pleaded the widow's cause, and by delay 
Delaying ever, made the law at night 
More intricate than at the dawn, and on 
The morrow farther from a close, than when 
The sun last set, till he who in the suit 550 

Was poorest, by his emptied coffers, proved 
His cause the worst ; and he that had the bag 
Of weights deceitful, and the balance false j 
And he that with a fraudful lip deceived 
In buying or in selling ; — these, that morn. 
Found custom no excuse for sin, and knew 
Plain dealing was a virtue, but too late. 
And he that was supposed to do nor good 
Nor ill, surprised, could find no neutral ground, 
And learned, that to do nothing was to serve 560 

The devil, and transgress the laws of God. 
The noisy quack, that by profession lied, 
19* 



XSSSs 



THE COURSE OF TIME. 



And uttered falsehoods of enormous size, 

With countenance as grave as truth beseemed j 

And he that lied for pleasure, whom a lust 

Of being heard and making people stare, 

And a most steadfast hate of silence, drove 

Far wide of sacred truth, who never took 

The pains to think of what he was to say. 

But still made haste to speak, with weary tongue, 570 

Like copious stream for ever flowing on ; — 

Read clearly in the lettered heavens, what, long 

Before, they might have read. For every word 

Of folly, you, this day, shall give account ; 

An(J every liar shall his portion have 

Among the cursed, without the gates of life. 

With groans that made no pause, lamenting there 
Were seen the duellist and suicide. 
This thought, but thought amiss, that of himself 
He was entire proprietor ; and so, 580 

When he was tired of Time, with his own hand, 
He opened the portals of Eternity, 
And sooner than the devils hoped, arrived 
In hell. The other, of resentment quick. 
And, for a word, a look, a gesture, deemed 
Not scrupulously exact in all respect. 
Prompt to revenge, went to the cited field. 
For double murder armed, his own, and his 
That as himself he was ordained to love. 
The first, in pagan books of early times, b90 

Was heroism pronounced, and greatly praised. 
In fashion's glossary of later days. 
The last was honour called, and spirit high. 
Alas ! 'twas mortal spirit, honour which 
Forgot to wake at the last trumpet's voice, 
Bearing the signature of Time alone, 
Uncurrent in Eternity, and base. 
Wise men suspected this before ; for they 
Could never understand what honour meant, 
Or why that should be honour termed, which made60O 
Man murder man, and broke the laws of God 



BOOK VIIJ. 



223 



Most wantonly. Sometimes, indeed, the grave, 

And those of Christian creed imagined, spoke 

Admiringly of honour, lauding much 

The noble youth, who, after many rounds 

Of boxing, died ; or, to the pistol shot 

His breast exposed, his soul to endless pain. 

But they who most admired, and understood 

This honour best, and on its altar laid 

Their lives, most obviously were fools ; and, what 610 

Fools only, and the wicked, understood. 

The wise agreed was some delusive Shade, 

That with the mist of time should disappear. 

Great day of revelation ! in the grave 
The hypocrite had left his mask, and stood 
In naked ugliness. He was a man 
Who stole the livery of the court of heaven, 
To serve the devil in ; in virtue's guise, 
Devoured the widow's house and orphan's bread ; 
In holy phrase, transacted villanies fi20 

That common sijiners durst not meddle with. 
At sacred feast, he sat among the saints. 
And with his guilty iiands touched holiest things. 
And none of sin lamented more, or sighed 
More deeply, or with graver countenance, 
Or longer prayer, wept o'er the dying man, 
"Whose infant children, at the moment, he 
Planned how to rob. In sermon style he bought. 
And sold, and lied ; and salutations made 
[n scripture terms. He prayed by quantity, 630 

And with his repetitions long and loud, 
All knees were weary. With one hand he put 
A penny in the urn of poverty, 
And with the other took a shilling out. 
On charitable lists, — those trumps which told 
The public ear, who had in secret done 
The poor a benefit, and half the alms 
They told of, took themselves to keep them sounding,— 
He blazed his name, more pleased to have it there 
Than in the book of life. Seest thou the man ! 640 



^^ THE COURSE OF TIME. 

A serpent with an angel's voice ! a grave 

With flowers bestrewed ! and yet few were deceived. 

His virtues being over-done, his face 

Too grave, his prayers too long, his charities 

Too pompously attended, and his speech 

Larded too frequently and out of time 

With serious phraseology, — were rents 

That in his garments opened in spite of him. 

Through which the well-accustomed eye could see 

The rottenness of his heart. None deeper blushed, 650 

As in the all-piercing light he stood, exposed, 

No longer herding with the holy ones. 

Yet still he tried to bring his countenance 

To sanctimonious seeming ; but, meanwhile, 

The shame within, now visible to all, 

His purpose balked. The righteous smiled, and even 

Despair itself some signs of laughter gave. 

As ineffectually he strove to wipe 

His brow, that inward guiltiness defiled. 

Detected wretch ! of all the reprobate, 6G0 

None seemed maturer for the flames of hell. 

Where still his face, from ancient custom, wears 

A holy air which says to all that pass 

Him by, " I was a hypocrite on earth." 

That was the hour which measured out to each, 
Impartially, his share of reputation, 
Correcting all mistakes, and from the name 
Of the good man all slanders wiping off*. 
Good name was dear to all. Without it, none 
Could soundly sleep, even on a royal bed, 670 

Or drink with relish from a cup of gold ; 
And with it, on his borrowed straw, or by 
The leafless hedge, beneath the open heavens. 
The weary beggar took untroubled rest 
It was a music of most heavenly tone. 
To which the heart leaped joyfully, and all 
The spirits danced. For honest fame, men laid 
Their heads upon the block, and, while the axe 
Descended, looked and smiled. It was of price 



BOOK Till. 22S 

Invaluable. Riches, health, repose, 680 

Whole kingdoms, life, were given for it, and he 

Who got it was the winner still ; and he 

Who sold it durst not open his ear, nor look 

On human face, he knew himself so vile. 

Yet it, with all its preciousness, was due 

To Virtue, and around her should have shed. 

Unasked, its savoury smell ; but Vice, deformed 

Itself, and ugly, and of flavour rank, 

To rob fair Virtue of so sweet an incense, 

And with it to anoint and salve its own 690 

Rotten ulcers, and perfume the path that led 

To deeth, — strove daily by a thousand means : 

And oft succeeded to make Virtue sour 

In the world's nostrils, and its loathly self 

Smell sweetly. Rumour was the messenger 

Of defamation, and so swift that none 

Could be the first to tell an evil tale ; 

And was, withal, so infamous for lies, 

That he who of her sayings, on his creed, 

The fewest entered, was deemed wisest man. 700 

The fool, and many who had credit, too, 

For wisdom, grossly swallowed all she said, 

Unsifted; and although, at every word. 

They heard her contradict herself, and saw 

Hourly they were imposed upon and mocked, 

Yet still they ran to hear her speak, and stared, 

And wondered much, and stood aghast, and said 

It could not be ; and, while they blushed for shame 

At their own faith, and seemed to doubt, believed, 

And whom they met, with many sanctions, told. 710 

So did experience fail to teach ; — so hard 

It was to learn this simple truth, — confirmed 

At every corner by a thousand proofs, — 

That common Fame most impudently lied. 

'Twas Slander filled her mouth with lying words 
Slander, the foulest whelp of Sin. The man 
In whom this spirit entered was undone. 
His tonjue was set on fire of hell, his heart 



226 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Was black as death, his legs were faint with haste 
To propagate the lie his soul had framed, 720 

His pillow was the peace of families 
Destroyed, the sigh of innocence reproached, 
Broken friendships, and the strife of brotherhoods j 
Yet did he spare his sleep, and hear the clock 
Number the midnight watches, on his bed, 
Devising mischief more ; and early rose. 
And made most hellish meals of good men's names 

From door to door you might have seen him speed, 
Or placed amidst a group of gaping fools, 
And whispering in their ears, with his foul lips. 730 
Peace fled the neighbourhood in which he made 
His haunts ; and, like a moral pestilence, 
Before his breath, the healthy shoots and blooms 
Of social joy and happiness decayed. 
Fools only in his company were seen, 
And those forsaken of God, and to themselves 
Given up. The prudent shunned him and his house 
As one who had a deadly moral plague. 
And fain would all have shunned him at the day 
Of judgment ; but in vain. All who gave ear 740 
With greediness, or wittingly their tongues 
Made herald to his lies, around him wailed ; 
While on his face, thrown back by injured men, 
In characters of ever-blushing shame, 
Appeared ten thousand slanders, all his own. 

Among the accursed, who sought a hiding place 
In vain, from fierceness of Jehovah's rage, 
And from the hot displeasure of the Lamb, 
Most wretched, most contemptible, most vile,- - 
Stood the false priest, and in his conscience icit 750 
The fellest gnaw of the Undying Worm. 
And so he might, for he had on his hands 
The blood of souls, that would not wipe away. 
Hear what he was. He swore, in sight of God 
And man, to preach his master, Jesus Christ ( 
Yet preached himself: he swore that love of souhi, 



BOOK VIII. 227 

Alone, had drawn him to the church ; yet strewed 

The path that led to hell with tempting flowers, 

And in the ear of sinners, as they took 

The way of death, he whispered peace : he swore 760 

Away all love of lucre, all desire 

Of earthly pomp ; and yet a princely seat 

He liked, and to the clink of Mammon's box 

Gave most rapacious ear. His prophecies. 

He swore, were from the Lord ; and yet, taught lies 

For gain : with quackish ointment, healed the wounds 

And bruises of the soul outside, but left, 

Within, the pestilent matter unobserved, 

To sap the moral constitution quite. 

And soon to burst again, incurable. 770 

He with untempered mortar daubed the walls 

Of Zion, saying. Peace, when there was none. 

The man who came with tliirsty soul to hear 

Of Jesus, went away unsatisfied ; 

For he another gospel preached than Paul, 

And one that had no Saviour in't ; and yet, 

His life was worse. Faith, cliarity, and love, 

Humility, forgiveness, holiness. 

Were words well lettered in his sabbath creed ; 

But with his life he wrote as plain. Revenge, 780 

Pride, tyranny, and lust of wealth and power 

Inordinate, and lewdness unashamed. 

He was a wolf in clothing of the lamb. 

That stole into the fold of God, and on 

The blood of souls, which he did sell to death, 

Grew fat; and yet, when any would liave turned 

Him out, he cried, " Touch not the priest of God." 

And that he was anointed, fools believed; 

But knew, that day, he was the devil's priest. 

Anointed by the hands of Sin and Death, 790 

And set peculiarly apart to ill, — 

While on him smoked the vials of perdition, 

Poured measureless. Ah me ! what cursing then 

Was heaped upon his head by ruined souls. 

That charged him with their murder, as he stood, 

With eye of all the unredeemed most sad, 



228 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Waiting the coming of the Son of Man ! 
But let me pause, for thou hast seen his place 
And punishment, beyond the sphere of love. 

Much was removed that tempted once to sin. 800 
Avarice no gold, no v/ine the drunkard, saw. 
But Envy had enough, as heretofore. 
To fill his heart with gall and bitterness. 
What made the man of envy what he was, 
Was worth in others, vileness in himself, 
A lust of praise, with undeserving deeds, 
And conscious poverty of soul : and still 
It was his earnest work and daily toil, 
With lying tongue, to make the noble seem 
Mean as himself. On fame's high hill he saw 810 
The laurel spread its everlasting green. 
And wished to climb ; but felt his knees too weak, 
And stood, below, unhappy, laying hands 
Upon the strong, ascending gloriously 
The steps of honour, bent to draw them back, 
Involving oft the brightness of their path, 
In mists his breath had raised. Whene'er he heard, 
As ofl he did, of joy and happiness, 
And great prosperity, and rising worth, 
'Twas like a wave of wormwood o'er his soul 820 

Rolling its bitterness. His joy was wo. 
The wo of others. When, from wealth to want, 
From praises to reproach, from peace to strife, 
From mirth to tears, he saw a brother fall, 
Or Virtue make a slip, — his dreams were sweet. 
But chief with Slander, daughter of his own. 
He took unhallowed pleasure. When she talked, 
And with her filthy lips defiled the best, 
His ear drew near ; with wide attention gaped 
His mouth ; his eye, well pleased, as eager gazed 830 
As glutton, when the dish he most desired 
Was placed before him ; and a horrid mirth, 
At intervals, with laughter shook his sides. 
The critic, too, who, for a bit of bread, 
In book that fell aside before the ink 



BOOK VIII. 229 

Was dry, poured forth excessive nonsense, gave 

Him much delight. The critics, — some, but few, — 

Were worthy men, and earned renown which had 

Immortal roots ; but most were weak and vile. 

And, as a cloudy swarm of summer flies, 840 

With angry hum and slender lance, beset 

The sides of some huge animal ; so did 

They buzz about the illustrious man, and fain, 

With his immortal honour, down the stream 

Of fame would have descended ; but, alas ! 

The hand of Time drove them away. They were, 

Indeed, a simple race of men, who had 

One only art, which taught them still to say, 

Whate'er was done might have been better done ; 

And with this art, not ill to learn, they made 850 

A shift to live. But, sometimes too, beneath 

The dust they raised, was worth a while obscured ; 

And then did Envy prophesy and laugh. 

O Envy ! hide thy bosom, hide it deep. 

A thousand snakes, with black, envenomed mouths, 

Nest there, and hiss, and feed through all thy lieart.- 

Such one I saw, here interposing, said 
The new arrived, in that dark den of shame, 
Whom who hath seen shall never wish to see 
Again. Before him, in the infernal gloom, 860 

That omnipresent shape of Virtue stood 
On which he ever threw his eye ; and, like 
A cinder that had life and feeling, seemed 
His face, with inward pining, to be what 
He could not be. As being that had burned 
Continually, in slow-consuming fire, — 
Half an eternity, and was to burn 
For evermore, he looked. Oh ! sight to be 
Forgotten ! thought too horrible to think ! 

But say, believing in such wo to come, 870 

Such dreadful certainty of endless pain, 
Could beings of forecasting mould, as thou 
Entitlest men, deliberatelv walk on, 
20 



230 THE COURSE OF TIME 

Unseated, and overleap their own beliet 
Into the lake of ever-burning fire ? 

Thy tone of asking seems to make reply, 
And rightly seems : They did not so believe. 
Not one of all thou sawst lament and wail 
In Tophet, perfectly believed the word 
Of God, else none had thither gone. Absurd, 880 
To think that beings, made witli reason, formed 
To calculate, compare, choose, and reject, 
By nature taught, and self, and every sense, 
To choose the good, and pass the evil by, 
Could, with full credence of a time to come. 
When all the wicked should be really damned. 
And cast beyond the sphere of light and love, 
Have persevered in sin ! Too foolish this 
For folly in its prime. Can aught that thinks 
And wills choose certain evil, and reject 890 

Good, in his heart believing he does so ? 
Could man choose pain, instead of endless joy .-' 
Mad supposition, though maintained by some 
Of honest mind. Behold a man condemned ! 
Either he ne'er inquired, and tjjerefore he 
Could not believe ; or, else, he carelessly 
Inquired, and something other than the word 
Of God received into his cheated faith ; 
And therefore he did not believe, but down 
To hell descended, leaning on a lie. 900 

Faith was bewildered much by men who meant 
To make it clear, so simple in itself, 
A thought so rudimental and so plain, 
That none by comment could it plainer make. 
All faith was one. In object, not in kind, 
The difference lay. The faith that saved a soul. 
And that which in the common truth believed. 
In essence, were the same. Hear, then, what faith, 
True, Christian faith, which brought salvation, was • 
Belief in all that God revealed to men ; 910 

Observe, in all that God revealed to men. 



BOOK VIII. 



231 



In all he promi^e^!, threatened, commanded, said, 
Without ex-cppt'op, and without a doubt. 
Wiio tliuo b'jii'-.vf d, being by the Spirit touched, 
As n'j.ti'ra)iy the fruits of faith produced, 
Tr'^th, temperr^nre, ^neekness, hoUness, and love. 
As human eye ^co'a 'larkness souglit the light. 
How could he eloe '' If ne, who had firm faith 
The morrow's f.nr. should rise, ordered affairs 
According)/; if he, who had firm faith 920 

That springs ar.d summer, and autumnal days, 
Should pass away, and winter really come, 
i:*repared accordingly ; if he, who saw 
A bolt of death approaching, turned aside 
And let it pass ; — as surely did the man, 
vVho verily believed the word of God, 
Though erring v/^hiles, its general laws obey, 
Turn back from hell, and take the way to heaven. 

That faith was necessary, some alleged. 
Unreined and uncontrollable by will. 930 

Invention savouring much of hell ! Indeed, 
It was the master-stroke of wickedness, 
Liast eflfort of Abaddon's council dark, 
To make man think himself a slave to fate. 
And, worst of all, a slave to fate in faith. 
For thus 'twas reasoned then : From faith alone, 
And from opinion, springs all action ; hence. 
If faith's compelled, so is all action too : 
But deeds compelled are not accountable j 
So man is not amenable to God. 941 

Arguing that brought such monstrous birth, thou n 
good 
It seemed, must have been false. Most false it wa , 
And by the book of God condemned, throughout. 
We freely own, that truth, when set before 
The mind, with perfect evidence, compelled 
Belief; but error lacked such witness, still : 
And none, who now lament in moral night, 
The word of God refused on evidence 



THE COURSE OF TIME. 

That might not have been set aside as false. 

To reason, try, choose, and reject, was free, 950 

Hence God, by faith, acquitted, or condemned; 

Hence righteous men, witn hberty of will, 

Believed ; and hence thou sawst in Erebus 

The wicked, who as freely disbelieved 

What else had led thero to the land of life. 



COURSE OF TIME 



23 It Kv\. 



20* 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK IX. 

The Book opens with an apostrophe to Religion. The Bard re- 
sumes his narrative, and, continuing the description of the As- 
sembly collected for Judgment, particularizes several classea 
of the Redeemed. While he mentions the classes, he points 
them out as they app-ui on the heavenly summits rejoicing. 

First among the lnnr nhone the faithful minister of God. The 
religious philosopiier appeared in uncommon glory. The right- 
eous governoi and uncorrupted statesman, the man of active 
benevolence, and the Christian poet, were each conspicuous. 
None of the Redeemed were obscure, andmultitudes were illus- 
trious that had no name on earth 

The Bard mentions the effect produced on the minds of the as- 
sembled multitudes by the absolute certainties of their situation, 
by the correct judgments they now formed, the just impressions 
they had of themselves, and the predictions they saw fulfilled. 

Suddenly a host of Angels appear, and the vast multitude of good 
and bad are separated to right and left in the final parting ; the 
righteous being gathered with joy beneath a canopy of golden 
beams ; the wicked bound under a dark and thundering cloud of 
wrath, where stood also Satan and his host, waiting for Judg- 
ment and the vengeance due to his rebellion in heaven, and his 
stratagems on earth. Thus separated, the Redeemed and the 
Reprobate stand expecting the Judge, and reading, upon either 
side of a bright arch bending high between them, a thrilling in- 
scription 



TOE 



COURSE OF TIME 



ffiooft JtX. 



Fairest of those that left the calm of heaven, 
And ventured down to man, with words of peace, 
Daughter of Grace ! known by whatever name, 
Religion, Virtue, Piety, or Love 
Of Holiness, the day of thy reward 
Was come. Ah ! thou wast long despised, despised 
By those thou wooedst from death to endless life. 
Modest and meek, in garments white as those 
That seraphs wear, and countenance as mild 
As Mercy looking on Repentance' tear ; 10 

With eye of purity, now darted up 
To God's eternal throne, now humbly bent 
Upon thyself, and, weeping down thy cheek, 
That glowed with universal love immense, 
A tear, pure as the dews that fall in heaven ; 
In thy left hand, the olive branch, and in 
Thy right, the crown of immortality ; — 
With noiseless foot, thou walkedst the vales of earth. 
Beseeching men, from age to age, to turn 
From utter death, to turn from wo to bliss ; 20 

Beseeching evermore, and evermore 
Despised — not evermore despised, not now, 
Not at the day of doom ; most lovely then, 



236 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Most honourable, thou appeared, and most 

To be desired. The guilty heard the song 

Of thy redeemed, how loud ! and saw thy face, 

How fair ! Alas ! it was too late ! the hour 

Of making friends was passed, thy favour then 

Might not be sought ; bui recollection, sad 

And accurate, as miser counting o'er 30 

And o'er again the sum he must lay out, 

Distinctly in the wicked's ear rehearsed 

Each opportunity despised and lost, 

While on them gleamed thy holy look, that like 

A fiery torrent went into their souls. 

The day of thy reward was come, the day 

Of great remuneration to thy friends. 

To those, known by whatever name, who sought, 

In every place, in every tnne, to do 

Unfeignedly their Maker's will, revealed, 40 

Or gathered else from nature's school ; well pleased 

With God's applause alone, that, like a stream 

Of sweetest melody, at still of night 

By wanderer heard, in their most secret ear 

For ever whispered. Peace ; and, as a string 

Of kindred tone awoke, their inmost soul 

Responsive answered. Peace ; inquiring still 

And searching, night and day, to know their duty, 

When known, with undisputing trust, with love 

Unquenchable, with zeal, by reason's lamp 50 

Inflamed, — performing; and to Him, by whose 

Profound, all-calculating skill alone. 

Results — results even of the slightest act, 

Are fully grasped, with unsuspicious faith, 

All consequences leaving ; to abound, 

Or want, alike prepared ; who knew to be 

Exalted how, and how to be abased ; 

How best to live, and how to die when asked. 

Their prayers sincere, their alms in secret done, 

Their fightings with themselves, their abstinence 60 

From pleasure, though by mortal eye unseen, 

Their hearts of resignation to the will 

Of Heaven, their patient bearing of reproach • 



BOOK IX. 237 

And shame, their charity, and faith, and hope, — 

Thou didst remember, and in full repaid. 

No bankrupt thou, who at the bargained hour 

Of payment due, sent to his creditors 

A tale of losses and mischances, long. 

Ensured by God himself, and from the stores 

And treasures of his wealth, at will supplied, — 70 

Religion, thou alone, of all that men, 

On earth, gave credit, to be reimbursed 

On the other side the grave, didst keep thy word, 

Thy day, and all thy promises fulfilled. 

As in the mind, rich with unborrowed wealth, 
Where multitudes of thoughts for utterance strive, 
And all so fair, that each seems worthy first 
To enter on the tongue, and from the lips 
Have passage forth, — selection hesitates 
Perplexed, and loses time, anxious, since all 80 

Cannot be taken, to take the best; and yet 
Afraid, lest what he left be worthier still ; 
And grieving much, where all so goodly look, 
To leave rejected one, or in the rear 
Let any be obscured : so did the bard. 
Though not unskilled, as on that multitude 
Of men who once awoke to judgment, he 
Threw back reflection, hesitating pause. 
For as his harp, in tone severe, had sung 
What figure the most famous sinners made, 90 

When from the grave they rose unmasked ; so did 
He wish to character the good ; but yet, 
Among so many, glorious all, all worth 
Immortal fame, with whom begin, with whom 
To end, was difficult to choose ; and long 
His auditors, upon the tiptoe raised 
Of expectation, might have kept, had not 
His eye— for so it is in heaven, that what 
Is needed always is at hand — beheld. 
That moment, on a mountain near the throne 100 

Of God, the most renowned of the redeemed. 
Rejoicing : nor who first, who most, to praise, 



238 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Debated more ; but thus, with sweeter note, 
Well pleased to sing, with highest eulogy, 
And first, whom God applauded most, — began. 

With patient ear, thou now hast heard, — though 
whiles. 
Aside digressing, ancient feeling turned 
My lyre, — what shame the wicked had, that day, 
What wailing, what remorse ; so hear, in brief, 
How bold the righteous stood, the men redeemed, 110 
How fair in virtue, and in hope how glad ! 
And first among the holy shone, as best 
Became, the faithful minister of God. 

See where he walks on yonder mount that lifts 
Its summit high, on the right hand of bliss. 
Sublime in glory, talking with his peers 
Of the incarnate Saviour's love, and passed 
Afl^liction lost in present joy ! See how 
His face with heavenly ardour glows, and how 
His hand, enraptured, strikes the golden lyre ! 120 
As now, conversing of the Lamb, once slain. 
He speaks ; and now, from vines that never hear 
Of winter, but in monthly harvest yield 
Their fruit abundantly, he plucks the grapes 
Of life ! But what he was on earth it most 
Behoves to say. Elect by God himself. 
Anointed by the Holy Ghost, and set 
Apart to the great work of saving men ; 
Instructed fully in the will divine, 
Supplied with grace in store, as need might ask, 130 
And with the stamp and signature of heaven, 
Truth, mercy, patience, holiness, and love. 
Accredited ; — he was a man, by God, 
Tlie Lord, commissioned to make known to men 
Tho eternal counsels ; in his Master's name, 
Tc treat with them of everlasting things. 
Of life, death, bliss, and wo ; to ofi^er terms 
Of pardon, grace, and peace, to the rebelled; 
To teach the ignorant soul, to cheer the sad j 



BOOK IX. 239 

To bind, to loose, with all authority, 140 

To give the feeble strength, the hopeless hope. 

To help the halting, and to lead the blind ; 

To warn the careless, heal the sick of heart, 

Arouse tlxe indolent, and on the proud 

And obstinate offender to denounce 

The wrath of God. All other men, what name 

Soe'er they bore, whatever office held. 

If lawful held, — the magistrate supreme, 

Or else subordinate, were chosen by men, 

Their fellows, and from men derived their power 150 

And were accountable, for all they did. 

To men ; but he, alone, his office held 

Immediately from God, from God received 

Authority, and was to none but God 

Amenable. The elders of the church, 

Indeed, upon him laid their hands, and set 

Him visibly apart to preach the word 

Of life ; but this was merely outward rite, 

And decent ceremonial, performed 

On all alike ; and oft, as thou hast heard, 160 

Performed on those God never sent ; his call, 

His consecration, his anointing, all 

Were inward, in the conscience heard and felt. 

Thus, by Jehovah chosen, and ordained 

'J'o take into his charge the souls of men. 

And for his trust to answer at the day 

Of judgment, — great plenipotent of heaven. 

And representative of God on earth, — 

Fearless of men and devils ; unabashed 

By sin enthroned, or mockery of a prince, 170 

Unawed by armed legions, unseduced 

By offered bribes, burning with lov'e to souls. 

Unquenchable, and mindlVil still of his 

Great charge and vast responsibility ; — 

High in the temple of the living God, 

He stood, amidst the people, and declared 

Aloud the truth, tho whole revealed truth. 

Ready to seal it with his blood. Divine 

Resemblance most complete ! with mercy now 



240 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And love, his face, illumed, shone gloriously; 180 

And frowning now indignantly, it seemed 

As if offended Justice, from his eye, 

Streamed forth vindictive wrath ! Men heard, alarmed 

The uncircumcised infidel believed ; 

Light-thoughted Mirth grew serious, and wept; 

The laugh profane sunk in a sigh of deep 

Repentance ; the blasphemer, kneeling, prayed, 

And, prostrate in the dust, for mercy called ; 

And cursed, old, forsaken sinners gnashed 

Their teeth, as if their hour had been arrived. 190 

Such was his calling, his commission such. 

Yet he was humble, kind, forgiving, meek, 

Easy to be entreated, gracious, mild ; 

And, with all patience and affection, taught, 

Rebuked, persuaded, solaced, counselled, warned. 

Jn fervent style and manner. Needy, poor, 

And dying men, like music, heard his feet 

Approach their beds ; and guilty wretches took 

New hope, and in his prayers wept and smiled. 

And blessed him, as they died forgiven ; and all 200 

Saw in his face contentment, in his life, 

The path to glory and perpetual joy. 

Deep-learned in the philosophy of heaven. 

He searched the causes out of good and ill. 

Profoundly calculating their effects 

Far past the bounds of Time ; and balancing, 

In the arithmetic of future things. 

The loss and profit of the soul to all 

Eternity. A skilful workman he 

In God's great moral vineyard : what to prune 210 

With cautious hand he knew, what to uproot ; 

What were mere weeds, and what celestial plants, 

Which had unfading vigour in them, knew ; 

Nor knew alone, but watched them night and day, 

And reared and nourished them, till fit to be 

Transplanted to the Paradise above. 

Oh ! who can speak his praise ! great, humble man ' 
He in the current of destruction stood. 



BOOK IX. 241 

And warned the sinner of his wo ; led on 

Immanuel's members in tiie evil day ; 220 

And, with the everlasting arms embraced 

Himself around, stood in the dreadful front 

Of battle, high, and warred victoriously 

With death and hell. And now was come his rest, 

His triumph day. Illustrious like a sun, 

In that assembly, he, shining from far, 

Most excellent in glory, stood assured, 

Waiting the promised crown, the promised throne, 

The welcome and approval of his Lord. 

Nor one alone, but many — prophets, priests, 230 

Apostles, great reformers, all that served 

Messiah faithfully, like stars appeared 

Of fairest beam; and round them gathered, clad 

In white, the vouchers of their ministry — 

The flock their care had nourished, fed, and saved. 

Nor yet in common glory blazing, stood 
The true philosopher, decided friend 
Of truth and man. Determined foe of all 
Deception, calm, collected, patient, wise, 
And humble, undeceived by outward shape 240 

Of things, by fashion's revelry uncharmed. 
By honour unbewitclied, — he left the chase 
Of vanity, and all the quackeries 
Of life, to fools and heroes, or whoe'er 
Desired them; and with reason, much despised, 
Traduced, yet heavenly reason, to the shade 
Retired — retired, but not to dream, or build 
Of ghostly fancies, seen in the deep noon 
Of sleep, ill-balanced theories ; retired. 
But did not leave mankind ; in pity, not 250 

In wrath, retired; and still, though distant, kept 
His eye on men ; at proper angle took 
His stand to see them better, and, beyond 
The clamour which the bells of folly made. 
That most had hung about them, to consult 
With nature, how their madness might be cured, 
And how their true substantial comforts might 
21 



243 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Be multiplied. Religious man ! what God 
By prophets, priests, evangelists, revealed 
Of sacred truth, he thankfully received, 260 

And, by its light directed, went in search 
Of more. Before him, darkness fled ; and al' 
The goblin tribe, that hung upon the breasts 
Of Night, and haunted still tiie moral gloom 
With shapeless forms, and blue, infernal lights, 
And indistinct, and devilish whisperings, 
That the miseducated fancies vexed 
Of superstitious men, — at his approach, 
Dispersed, invisible. Where'er he went, 
This lesson still he taught, To fear no ill 270 

But sin, no being but Almighty God. 
All-comprehending sage ! too hard alone 
For him was man's salvation ; all besides, 
Of use or comfort, that distinction made 
Between the desperate savage, scarcely raised 
Above the beast whose flesh he ate, undressed, 
And the most polished of the human race, 
Was product of his persevering search. 
Religion owed him much, as from the false 
She suffered much; for still his main design. 260 

In all his contemplations, was to trace 
The wisdom, providence, and love of God, 
And to his fellows, less observant, show 
Them forth. From prejudice redeemed, with all 
His passions still, above the common world, 
Sublime in reason and in aim sublime. 
He sat, and on the marvellous works of God 
Sedately thought ; now glancing up his eye. 
Intelligent, through all the starry dance, 
And penetrating now the deep remote 290 

Of central causes in the womb opaque 
Of matter hid ; now with inspection nice, 
Entering the mystic labyrinths of the mind. 
Where thought, of notice ever shy, behind 
Thought, disappearing, still retired ; and still, 
Thought meeting thought, and taought awakening 
thought. 



BOOK IX. 243 

And mino;ling still with thought in endless maze, — 

Jiewildered observation ; now, witli eye 

Yet more severely purged, looking far down 

Into the heart, where passion wove a web 300 

or tiiousand thousand threads, in grain and hue 

All ditierent ; then, upward venturing whiles, 

But reverently, and in his hand, ihe light 

Ilevealed, near the eternal Throne, he gazed, 

i-'hilosophizing less than worshipping. 

Most truly great ! his intellectual strength 

And knowledge vast, to men of lesser mind, 

Seemed infinite ; yet, from his high pursuits, 

And reasonin<rs most profound, he still returned 

Home, with an humbler and a warmer heart: 310 

And none so lowly bowed before his God, 

As none so well His awful majesty 

And goodness comprehended ; or so well 

His own dependency and v^^eakness knew. 

How glorious now, with vision purified 
At the Essential Truth, entirely free 
From error, he, investigating still, — 
For knowledge is not found, unsought, in heaven, — 
From world to world, at pleasure, roves, on wing 
Of golden ray upborne ; or, at the feet 320 

Of heaven's most ancient sages, sitting, hears 
New wonders of the wondrous works of God ' 

Illustrious too, that morning, stood the man 
Exalted by the people, to the thrnne 
Of government, established on the base 
Of justice, liberty, and equal right; 
Who, in his countenance sublime, expressed 
A nation's majesty, and yet was meek 
And humble ; and in royal palace gave 
Example to the meanest, of the fear 330 

Of God, and all integrity of life 
And manners ; who, august, yet lowly ; who, 
Severe, yet gracious ; in his very heart, 
Detesting all oppression, all intent 
Of private aggrandizement ; and, the first 



1^4 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

In every public duty, held the scales 

Of justice, and as the law, which reigned in him, 

Commanded, gave rewards ; or, with the edge 

Vindictive, smote, now light, now heavily, 

According to the stature of the crime. 340 

Conspicuous like an oak of healthiest bough, 

Deep-rooted in his country's love, he stood, 

And gave his hand to Virtue, helping up 

The honest man to honour and renown ; 

And, with the look which goodness wears in wrath, 

Withering the very blood of Knavery, 

And from his presence driving far, ashamed. 

Nor less remarkable, among the blessed, 
Appeared the man, who, in the senate-house, 
Watchful, unhired, unbribed, and uncorrupt, 350 

And party only to the common weal, 
In virtue's awful rage, pleaded for right. 
With truth so clear, with argument so strong. 
With action so sincere, and tone so loud 
And deep, as made the despot quake behind 
His adamantine gates, and every joint. 
In terror, smite his fellow-joint relaxed ; 
Or, marching to the field, in burnished steel, 
While, frowning on his brow, tremendous hung 
The wrath of a whole people, long provoked, — 360 
Mustered the stormy wings of war, in day 
Of dreadful deeds ; and led the battle on. 
When Liberty, swifl as the fires of heaven. 
In fury rode, with all her hosts, and threw 
The tyrant down, or drove invasion back. 
Illustrious he — illustrious all appeared. 
Who ruled supreme in righteousness } or held 
Inferior place, in steadfast rectitude 
Of soul. Peculiarly severe had been 
The nurture of their youth, their knowledge great,370 
Great was their wisdom, great their cares, and great 
Their self-denial, and their service done 
To God and man ; and great was their reward, 
At hand, proportioned to their worthy deeds. 



BOOK IX. 245 

Breathe all thy minstrelsy, immortal Harp ! 
Breathe numbers warm with love, while I rehearse — 
Delighted theme, resembling most the songs 
Which, day and night, are sung before tlie Lamb ! — 
Thy praise, O Charity ! thy labours most 
Divine ; thy sympatiiy with siglis, and tears, 380 

And groans ; thy great, thy god-like wish, to heal 
All misery, all Ibrtune's wounds, and make 
Tiie soul of every living thing rejoice. 
O thou wast needed nmch in days of Time ! 
No virtue, half so much ! — None half so fair ! 
To all the rest, however fine, thou gavest 
A finishing and polish, without which 
No man e'er entered heaven. Let me record 
His praise, the man of great benevolence, 
Who pressed thee closely to his glowing heart, 390 
And to thy gentle bidding made his feet 
Swift minister. Of all mankind, his soul 
Was most in harmony with heaven : as one 
Sole family of brothers, sisters, friends. 
One in their origin, one in their rights 
To all the common gifts of providence, 
And in their hopes, their joys, and sorrows one, 
He viewed the universal human race. 
He needed not a law of state, to force 
Grudging submission to the law of God. 400 

The law of love was in his heart, alive ; 
What he possessed, he counted not his own; 
But, like a faithful steward in a house 
Of public alms, what freely he received 
He freely gave, distributing to all 
The helpless the last mite beyond his own 
Temperate support, and reckoning still the gift 
But justice, due to want ; and so it was, 
Although the world, with compliment not ill 
Applied, adorned it with a fairer name. 410 

Nor did he wait till to his door the voice 
Of supplication came, but went abroad. 
With foot as silent as the starry dews, 
la search of misery that pined unseen, 
21* 



246 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And would not ask. And who can tell what sights 

He saw ! what groans he heard, in that cold world 

Below ! where Sin, in league with gloomy Death, 

Marched daily through the length and breadth of all 

The land, wasting at will, and making earth, 

Fair earth ! a lazar-house, a dungeon dark, 420 

Where Disappointment fed on ruined Hope, 

Where Guilt, worn out, leaned on the triple edge 

Of want, remorse, despair; wliere Cruelty 

Reached forth a cup of wormwood to the lips 

Of Sorrow, that to deeper Sorrow wailed ; 

Where Mockery, and Disease, and Poverty 

Met miserable Age, erewhile sore bent 

With his own burden ; where the arrowy winds 

Of winter pierced the naked orphan babe, 

And chilled the mother's heart, who had no home ;430 

And where, alas ! in mid-time of his day, 

The honest man, robbed by some villain's hand, 

Or with long sickness pale, and paler yet 

With want and hunger, oft drank bitter draughts 

Of his own tears, and had no bread to eat. 

Oh ! who can tell what sights he saw, what shapes 

Of wretchedness ! or who describe v.'hat smiles 

Of gratitude illumined the face of wo. 

While from his hand he gave the bounty forth ! 

As when the Sun, to Cancer wheeling back, 440 

Returned from Capricorn, and showed the north, 

That long had lain in cold and cheerless night, 

His beamy countenance ; all nature then 

Rejoiced together glad ; tlie flower looked up 

And smiled ; the forest, from his locks, shook off 

The hoary frosts, and clapped his hands ; the birds 

Awoke, and, singing, rose to meet the day; 

And from his hollow den, where many months 

He slumbered sad in darkness, blithe and light 

Of heart the savage sprung, and saw again 450 

His mountains shine, and with new songs of love 

Allured the virgin's ear : so did the house. 

The prison-house of guilt, and all the abodes 

Of unprovided helplessness, revive. 



BOOK IX. " S547 

As on them looked the sunny messenger 

Of Charity. By angels tended still, 

That marked his deeds, and wrote them in the book 

Of God's remembrance; careless he to be 

Observed of men, or have each mite bestowed 

Recorded punctually, with name and place, 460 

In every bill of news. Pleased to do good, 

He gave, and sought no more, nor questioned much, 

Nor reasoned, who deserved ; for well he knew 

The face of need. Ah me ! who could mistake ? 

The shame to ask, the want that urged within, 

Composed a look so perfectly distinct 

From all else human, and withal so full 

Of misery, that none could pass, untouched, 

And be a Christian, or thereafter claim, 

In any form, the name or rights of man, 470 

Or, at the day of judgment, lift his eye ; 

While he, in name of Christ, who gave the poor 

A cup of water, or a bit of bread, 

Impatient for his advent, waiting stood, 

Glowing in robes of love and holiness, 

Heaven's fairest dress ! and round him ranged, in white, 

A thousand witnesses appeared, prepared 

To tell his gracious deeds before the Throne. 

Nor unrenowned among the most renowned. 
Nor 'mong the fairest unadmired, that morn, 480 

When highest fame was proof of highest worth, 
Distinguished stood the bard : not he, who sold 
The incommunicable, heavenly gift. 
To Folly, and with lyre of perfect tone. 
Prepared by God himself, for holiest praise, — 
Vilest of traitors ! most dishonest man ! — 
Sat by the door of Ruin, and made there 
A melody so sweet, and in the mouth 
Of drunkenness and debauch, that else had croaked 
In natural discordance jarring harsh, 490 

Put so di»ine a song, that many turned 
Aside, and entered in undone, and thought. 
Meanwhile, it was the gate of heaven, so like 



248 , THE COURSE OF TIME. 

An angel's voice the music seemed ; nor he, 

Who, whining grievously of damsel coy, 

Or blammg fortune, that would nothing give 

For doing naught, in indolent lament 

Unprofitable, passed his piteous days, 

Making himself the hero of his tale, 

Deserving ill the poet's name : but he, 500 

The bard, by Gods own hand anointed, who, 

To Virtue's all-delighting harmony. 

His numbers tuned : who, from the fount of truth. 

Poured melody, and beauty poured, and love, 

In holy stream, into the human heart ; 

And, from the height of lofty argument, 

Who "justified the ways of God to man," 

And sung what still he sings, approved, in heaven j 

IMiough now with bolder note, above the damp 

Terrestrial, which the pure celestial fire 510 

Cooled, and restrained in part his flaming wing. 

Philosophy was deemed of deeper thought, ■ 
And judgment more severe, than Poetry ; 
To fable, she, and fancy, more inclined. 
And yet, if Fancy, as was understood. 
Was of creative nature, or of power, 
With self- wrought stuff, to build a fabric up, 
To mortal vision wonderful and strange, 
Philosophy, the theoretic, claimed, 
Undoubtedly, the first and highest place 520 

In Fancy's favour. Her material souls, 
Her chance, her atoms shaped alike, her white 
Proved black, her universal nothing, all : 
And all her wondrous systems, how the mind 
With matter met ; how man was free, and yet 
All pre-ordained ; how evil first began ; 
And chief, her speculations, soaring high, 
Of the eternal, uncreated Mind, 
Which left all reason infinitely far 
Behind — surprising feat of theory ! — 530 

Were pure creation of her own, webs wove 
Of gossamer in Fancy's lightest loom. 



BOOK IX. 249 

And no where, on the list of being made 
By God., recorded : but her look, meanwhile, 
Was grave and studious ; and mrny thought 
She reasoned deeply, when she wildly raved. 

The true, legitimate, anointed bard. 
Whose song through ages poured its melody, 
V\'^as most severely thoughtful, most minute 
Vnd accurate of observation, most 540 

Familiarly acquainted with all modes 
And phases of existence. True, no doubt. 
He had originally drunk, from out 
The fount of life and love, a double draught, 
That gave whate'er he touched a double life : 
But this was mere desire at first, and power 
Devoid of means to work by ; need was stilJ 
Of persevering, quick, inspective mood 
Of mind, of faithful memory, vastly stored, 
From universal being's ample field, 550 

With knowledge ; and a judgment, sound and clear, 
Well disciplined in nature's rules of taste ; 
Discerning to select, arrange, combine, 
From infinite variety, and still 
^o nature true ; and guide withal, hard task, 
(^he sacred, living impetus divine. 
Discreetly through the harmony of song. 
Completed thus, the poet sung ; and age 
To age, enraptured, heard his measures flow; 
Enraptured, for he poured the very fat 560 

And marrow of existence through his verse, 
And gave the soul, that else, in selfish cold, 
Unwarmed by kindred interest, had lain, 
A roomy life, a glowing relish high, 
A sweet, expansive brotherhood of being — 
Joy answering joy, and sigh responding sigh, 
Through all the fibres of the social heart. 
Observant, sympathetic, sound of head. 
Upon the ocean vast of human thought, 
With passion rough and stormy, venturing out 57C 
Even as the living billows rolled, he threw 



2^0 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

His numbers over them, seized as they were, 
And to perpetual ages left tliem fixed, 
To eacli, a mirror oi itself displayed ; 
Despair for ever lowering dark on Sin, 
And Happiness en Virtue smiling fair. 

He was the minister of fame, and gave 
To whom he would renown ; nor missed himself^ 
Although despising much the idiot roar 
Of popular applause, that sudden, oft, 580 

Unnaturally turning, whom it nursed 
Itself devoured — the lasting fame, the praise 
Of God and holy men, to excellence given. 
Yet less he sought his own renown, than wished 
To have the eternal images of truth 
And beauty, pictured in his verse, admired. 
'Twas these, taking immortal shape and form 
Beneath his eye, that charmed his midnight watch, 
And oft his soul with awful transports shook 
Of happiness, unfelt by other men. 590 

This was that spell, that sorcery, which bound 
The poet to the lyre, and would not let 
Him go; that hidden mystery of joy, 
Which made him sing in spite of fortune's worst, 
And was, at once, both motive and reward. 

Nor now among the choral harps, in this 
The native clime of song, are those unknown, 
With higher note ascending, who, below, 
In holy ardour, aimed at lofty strains. 
True fame is never lost : many, whose names 600 

Were honoured much on earth, are famous here 
For poetry, and, with arch-angel harps, 
Hold no unequal rivalry in song ; 
Leading the choirs of heaven, in numbers high, 
In numbers ever sweet and ever n«w. 

Behold them yonder, where the river pure 
Flows warbling down before the throne of God ; 
And, sliading on each side, the tree of life 



BOOK IX. 251 

Spreads its unfading boughs ! — See how they shine. 
In garments white, quaffing deep draughts of love, 610 
And harping on their harps, new harmonies 
Preparing for the ear of God, Most High ! 

But why should I, of individual worth, 
Of individual glory, longer sing ? 
.No true believer was, that day, obscure ; 
No holy soul but had enough of joy ; 
No pious wish without its full reward. 
Who in the Father and the Son believed. 
With faith that wrought by love to holy deeds, 
And purified the heart, none trembled there, 620 

Nor had by earthly guise his rank concealed ; 
Whether, unknown, he tilled the ground remote, 
Observant of the seasons, and adored 
God in the promise, yearly verified, 
Of seed-time, harvest, summer, winter, day 
And night, returning duly at the time 
Appointed ; or, on the shadowy mountain side, 
Worshipped at dewy eve, watching his flocks ; 
Or, trading, saw the wonders of the deep, 
And as the needle to the starry Pole 630 

Turned constantly, so he his heart to God ; 
Or else, in servitude severe, was taught 
To break the bonds of sin ; or, begging, learned 
To trust the Providence that fed the raven, 
And clothed the lily with her annual gown. 

Most numerous, indeed, among the saved. 
And many, too, not least illustrious, shone 
The men who had no name on earth. Eclipsed 
By lowly circumstance, they lived unknown, 
Like stream that in the desert warbles clear, 640 

Still nursing, as it goes, the herb and flower, 
Though never seen ; or like the star, retired 
In solitudes of ether, far beyond 
All sight, not of essential splendour less. 
Though shining unobserved. None saw their pure 
Devotion, none their tears, their faith, and love, 



252 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Which burned within them, both to God and man, — 

None saw but God. lie, in his bottle, all 

Their tears preserved, and every holy wish 

Wrote in his book ; and, not as they had done, 650 

But as they wished with all their heart to do. 

Arrayed them now in glory, and displayed, — 

No longer hid by coarse, uncourtly garb, — 

In lustre equal to their inward worth. 

Man's time was passed, and his eternity 
Begun. No fear remained of change. The youth. 
Who, in the glowing morn of vigorous life, 
High-reaching after great religious deeds, 
Was suddenly cut off, with all his hopes 
In sunny bloom, and unaccomplished left CfO 

His withered aims, — saw everlasting days, 
Before him, dawning rise, in which to achieve 
All glorious things, and get himself the name 
That jealous Death too soon forbade on earth. 

Old things hod passed away, and all was ne\y ; 
And yet, of all the new-begun, nauglii so 
Prodigious difference made, in the affairs 
And thoughts of every man, as certainty. 
For doubt, all doubt, was gone, of every kind ; 
Doubt that erewhile, beneath the lowest base 670 

Of mortal reasonings, deepest laid, crept in, 
And made the strongest, best cemented towers 
Of human workmanship, so weakly shake. 
And to their lofty tops so waver still, 
That those who built them, feared their sudden fall. 
But doubt, all doubt, was passed ; and, in its place, 
To every thought that in the heart of man 
Was present, now had come an absolute. 
Unquestionable certainty, which gave 
To each decision of the mind immense CSO 

Importance, raising to its proper height 
The sequent tide of passion, whether joy 
Or grief. The good man knew, in very truth. 
That he was saved to all eternity, 



BOOK IX. 253 

And feared no more ; the bad had proof complete, 
That he was damned for ever ; and believed 
Entirely, that on every wicked soul 
Anguish should come, and wrath, and utter wo. 

Knowledge was much increased, but wisdom more. 
The film of Time, that still before the sight 690 

Of mortal vision danced, and led the best 
Astray, pursuing unsubstantial dreams. 
Had dropped from every eye. Men saw that they 
Had vexed themselves in vain, to understand 
What now no hope to understand remained ; 
That they had often counted evil good, 
And good for ill ; laughed when they should have wept, 
And wept, forlorn, when God intended mirth. 
But what, of all their follies passed, surprised 
Them most, and seemed most totally insane 700 

And unaccountable, was value set 
On objects of a day. was serious grief 
Or joy for loss or gam of mortal things. 
So utterly impossible it seemed, 
When men their proper interests saw, that aught 
Of terminable kind, that aught, which e'er 
Could die, or cease to be, however named, 
Should make a human soul — a legal heir 
Of everlasting years — rejoice or weep. 
In earnest mood; for nothing now seemed worth 710 
A thought, but had eternal bearing in't. 

Much truth had been assented to in Time, 
Which never, till this day, had made a due 
Impression on the heart. Take one example. 
Early from heaven it was revealed, and oft 
Repeated in the world, from pulpits preached, 
And penned and read in holy books, that God 
Respected not the persons of mankind. 
Had this been truly credited and felt. 
The king, in purple robe, had OAvned, indeed, 720 

The beggar for his brother ; pride of rank 
And office thawed into paternal love : 
22 



254 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Oppression feared the day of equal rights, 

Predicted ; covetous extortion kept 

In mind the hour of reckoning, soon to come; 

And bribed injustice thought of being judged, 

When he should stiind, on equal foot, beside 

The man he wronged, and surely — nay, 'tis true, 

Most true, beyond all whispering of doubt, 

Tliat he, who lilted up the reeking scourge, 730 

Dripping witli gore from the slave's back, before 

He struck again, had paused, and seriously 

Of that tribunal thought, where God himself 

Should look him in the face, and ask in wrath, 

" Why didst thou this? Man ! was he not thy brother, 

Bone of thy bone, and flesh and blood of thine?" 

But, ah ! this truth, by heaven and n>ason taught, 

Was never fully credited on earth. 

The titled, flattered, lofty men of power, 

Whose wealth bought verdicts of applause for deeds740 

Of wickedness, could neer believe the time 

Should truly come when judgment should proceed 

Impartially against them, and they, too. 

Have no good speaker at the Judge's ear, 

No witnesses to bring them otf for gold, 

No power to turn the sentence fiom its course; 

And they of low estate, who saw themselves. 

Day after day, despised, and wronged, and mocked 

Without redress, could scarcely think the day 750 

Should e'er arrive, when they, in truth, should stand 

On perfect level with the potentates 

And princes of the earth, and have their cause 

Examined fairly, and their rights allowed. 

But now this truth was felt, believed and felt, 

That men were really of a common stock. 

That no man ever had been more than man. 

Much prophecy — revealed by holy bards. 
Who sung the will of heaven by Judah's streams — 
Much prophecy, that waited long, the scoft' 
Of lips uncircumcised, was then fulfilled; 760 

To the last tittle scrupulously fulfilled. 



BOOK IX. 



255 



It was foretold by those of ancient days, 

A time should come, when wickedness should weep 

Abased ; when every lofty look of man 

Should be bowed down, and all his haughtmess 

Made low ; when righteousness alone should lift 

The head in glory, and rejoice at heart; 

When many, first in splendour and renown, 

Should be most vile ; and many, lowest once, 

And last in Poverty's obscurest nook, 770 

Highest and first in honour, should be seen. 

Exalted; and when some, when all the good, 

Should rise to glory and eternal life ; 

And all the bad, lamenting, wake, condemned 

To shame, contempt, and everlasting grief. 

These prophecies had tarried long, so long 
That many wagged the head, and, taunting, asked, 
"When shall they come?" but asked no more, nor 

mocked : 
For the reproach of prophecy was wiped 
Away, and every word of God found true. 780 

And, oh ! what change of state, what change of rank, 
In that assembly every where was seen! 
The humble-hearted laughed, the lofty mourned, 
And every man, according to his works 
Wrought in the body, there took character. 

Thus stood they mixed, all generations stood ! 
Of all mankind, innumerable throng 1 
Great harvest of the grave [—waiting the will 
Of heaven, attentively, and silent all. 
As forest spreading out beneath the calm 790 

Of evening skies, when even the single leaf 
Is heard distinctly rustle down and fall ; 
So silent they, when from above, the sound 
Of rapid wheels approached, and suddenly 
In heaven appeared a host of angels strong. 
With chariots and with steeds of burning fire; 
Cherub, and Seraph, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, 



256 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Bright in celestial armour, dazzling, rode. 

And, leading in tke front, illustrious shone 

Michael and Gabriel, servants long approved bOO 

In high commission, — girt that day with power, 

Which naught created, man or devil, might 

Resist. Nor waited, gazing, long ; but, quick 

Descending, s.lently and without song. 

As servants bent to do their master "s work, 

To middle air they raised the human race, 

Above the path long travelled by the sun ; 

And as a shepherd from the sheep divides 

The goats ; or husbandman, with reaping band.s, 

In harvest, separates the precious wheat, 810 

Selected from the tares ; so did they part 

Mankind, the good and bad, to right and left. 

To meet no more ; these ne'er again to smile. 

Nor those to weep ; these never more to share 

Society of mercy with the saints. 

Nor, henceforth, those to suffer with the vile. 

Strange parting ! not for hours, nor days, nor months, 

Nor for ten thousand times ten thousand years ; 

But for a whole eternity I — though fit, 

And pleasant to the righteous, yet to all 820 

Strange, and most strangely felt ! The sire, to right 

Retiring, saw the son — sprung from his loins, 

Beloved how dearly once ; but who forgot, 

Too soon, in sin's intoxicating cup. 

The father's warnings and the mother's tears — 

Fall to the loft among the reprobate ; 

And sons, redeemed, beheld the fathers, whom 

They loved and honoured once, gathered among -.^ 

The wicked. Brothers, sisters, kinsmen, friends ; 

Husband and wife, who ate at the same board, 830 

And under the same roof, united, dwelt. 

From youth to hoary age, bearing the chance 

And change of Time together, parted then 

For evermore. But none, whose friendship grew 

From virtue's pure and everlasting root, 

Took different roads ; these, knit in stricter bonds 

Of araitv, embracing, saw no more 



BOOK IX. 257 

Death, with his sithe, stand by; nor heard the word, 
The bitter word, whicli closed all earthly friendships, 
And finished every feast of love — Farewell. 840 

To all, strange parting ! to the wicked, sad 
And terrible ! New liorror seized them, while 
They saw the saints withdrawing, and with them 
All hope of safety, all delay of wrath. 

Beneath a crown of rosy light, — like that 
Which once, in Goshen, on the flocks, and herds, 
And dwellings, smiled, of Jacob, while the land 
Of Nile was dark ; or like the pillar bright 
Of sacred fire, that stood above the sons 
Of Israel, wlien they camped at midnight by 850 

The foot of Horeb, or the desert side 
Of Sinai ; — now, the righteous took their place, 
All took their place, who ever wished to go 
To heaven, for heaven's own sake. Not one remained 
Among the accursed, that e'er desired with all 
The heart to be redeemed, that ever sought 
Submissively to do the will of God,.. 
Howe'er it crossed his own ; or to escape 
Hell, for aught other than its penal fires. 
All took their place, rejoicing, and beheld, 860 

In centre of tbe crown of golden beams 
Tiiat canopied them o'er, these gracious words. 
Blushing with tints of love : " Fear not, my saints." 

To other sight of horrible dismay, 
Jehovah's ministers the wicked drove, 
And left them bound immovable in chains 
Of Justice, O'er their heads a bowless cloud 
Of indignation hung; a cloud it was 
Of thick and utter darkness, rolling, like 
An ocean, tides of livid, pitchy flame ; 870 

With thunders charged, and lightnings ruinous. 
And red with forked vengeance, such as wounds 
The soul ; and full of angry shapes of wrath. 
And eddies whirling with tumultuous fire, 
And forms of terror ravinof to and fro, 
22* ^ 



258 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And monsters, unimagined heretofore 

By guilty men in dreams before their death, 

From horrid to more horrid changing still, 

In hideous movement through that stormy gulf: 

And evermore the Thunders, murmuring, spoke 880 

From out the darkness, uttering loud these words, 

Which every guilty conscience echoed back : 

*' Ye knev/ your duty, but ye did it not." 

Dread words ! that barred excuse, and threw the weight 

Of every man's perdition on himself. 

Directly home. Dread words I heard then, and heard 

For ever through the wastes of Erebus. 

" Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not.'" 

These were the words which glowed upon the sword, 

Whose wrath burned fearfully behind the cursed, 890 

As they were driven away from God to Tophet. 

" Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not !" 

These are the words to which the harps of grief 

Are strung; and, to the chorus of the damned, 

The rocks of hell repeat them, evermore ; 

Loud echoed through the caverns of despair, 

And poured in thunder on the ear of Wo. 

Nor ruined men alone, beneath that cloud, 
Trembled. There, Satan and his legions stood, 
Satan, the first and eldest sinner, — bound 900 

For judgment. He, by other name, held once 
Conspicuous rank in heaven among the sons 
Of happiness, rejoicing, day and night. 
But pride, that was ashamed to bow to God, 
Most High, his bosom filled with hate, his face 
Made black with envy, and in his soul begot 
Thoughts guilty of rebellion 'gainst the throne 
Of the Eternal Father and the Son, — 
From everlasting built on righteousness. 

Ask not how pride, in one created pure, 91C 

Could grow ; or sin without example spring, 
Where holiness alone was sown : esteem't 
Enough, that he, as avery being made 



BOOK IX. 259 

By God, was made entirely holy, had 

The will of God before him set for law 

And regulation of his life, and power 

To do as bid ; but was, meantime, left free, 

To prove his worth, his gratitude, his love ; 

How proved besides ? for how could service done 

That might not else have been withheld, evince 920 

The will to servo, which, rather than the deed, 

God doth require, and virtue counts alone ? 

To stand or fall, to do or leave undone, 

Is reason's lofty privilege, denied 

To all below, by instinct bound to fate, 

Unmeriting, alike, reward or blame. 

Thus free, the Devil chose to disobey 
The will of God, and was thrown out from heaven, 
And with him all his bad example stained : 
Yet not to utter punishment decreed, 930 

But left to fill the measure of his sin. 
In tempting and seducing man — too soon, 
Too easily seduced ! And, from the day 
He first set foot on earth, — of rancour full, 
And pride, and hate, and malice, and revenge, — 
He set himself^ with most felonious aim 
And hellish perseverance, to root out 
All good, and in its place to plant all ill ; 
To rub and raze, from all created things, 
The fair and holy portraiture divine, 940 

And on them to enstamp his features grim , 
To draw all creatures off from loyalty 
To their Creator, and to make them bow 
The knee to him. Nor failed of great success, 
As populous hell, this day, can testify. 
He held, indeed, large empire in the world. 
Contending proudly with the King of heaven. 
To him temples were built, and sacrifice 
Of costly blood upon his altars flowed ; [950 

And — what best pleased him, for in show he seemed 
Then likest God — whole nations, bowing, fell 
Before him, worshipping, and from his lips 



260 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Entreated oracles, which he, by priests, — 
For many were his priests in every age, — 
Answered, though guessing but at future things, 
And erring ofl, yet stili beUeved ; so well 
His ignorance, in ambiguous phrase, he veiled. 

Nor needs it wonder, that with man once fallen. 
His tempting should succeed. Large was his mind 
And understanding ; though impaired by sin, 960 

Still large ; and constant practice, day and night, 
In cunning, guile, and all hypocrisy. 
From age to age, gave him experience vast 
In sin's dark tactics, such as boyish man, 
Unarmed by strength divine, could ill withstand. 
And well he knew his weaker side ; and still, 
His lures, with baits that pleased the senses, busked 
To his impatient passions offering terms 
Of present joy, and bribing reason's eye 
With earthly wealth, and honours near at hand. 970 
Nor failed to misadvise his future hope 
And faith, by false, unkerneled promises 
Of heavens of sensual gluttony and love, 
That suited best their grosser appetites. 
Into the sinner's heart, w^ho lived secure. 
And feared him least, he entered at his will. 
But chief, he chose his residence in courts 
And conclaves, stirring princes up to acts 
Of blood and tyranny ; and moving priests 
To barter truth, and swap the souls of men 980 

For lusty benefices, and address 
Of lofty sounding. Nor the saints elect. 
Who walked with God, in virtue's path sublime, 
Did he not sometimes venture to molest ; 
In dreams and moments of unguarded thought, 
Suggesting guilty doubts and fears, that God 
Would disappoint their hope ; and in their way 
Bestrewing pleasures, tongued so sweet, and so 
In holy garb arrayed, that many stooped. 
Believing them of heavenly sort, and fell ; 990 

And to their high professions, brought disgrace 



BOOK IX. 261 

And scandal ; to themselves, thereafter, long 

And bitter nights of sore repentance, vexed 

"With shame, unwonted sorrow, and remorse. 

And more they should have fallen, and more have wept, 

Had not their guardian angels, who, by God 

Commissioned, stood beside them in the hour 

Of danger, whether craft, or fierce attack, 

To Satan's deepest skill opposing skill 

More deep, and to his strongest arm, an arm 1000 

More strong, — upborne them in their hands, and filled 

Their souls with all discernment, quick, to pierce 

His stratagems and fairest shows of sin. 

Now, like a roaring lion, up and down 
The world, destroying, though unseen, he raged; 
And now, retiring back to Tartarus, 
Far back, beneath the thick of guiltiest dark. 
Where night ne'er heard of day, in council grim. 
He sat with ministers whose thoughts were damned, 
And there such plans devised, as, had not God 1010 
Checked and restrained, had added earth entire 
To hell, and uninhabited left heaven, 
Jehovah unadored. Nor unsevere. 
Even then, his punishment deserved. The Worm 
That never dies, coiled in his bosom, gnawed 
Perpetually ; sin after sin brought pang 
Succeeding pang ; and, now and then, the bolts 
Of Zion's King, vindictive, smote his soul 
With fiery wo to blast his proud designs ; 
And gave him earnest of the wrath to come. 1020 

And chief, when, on the cross, Messiah said, 
" 'Tis finished," did the edge of vengeance smite 
Him through, and all his gloomy legions touch 
With new despair. But yet, to be the first 
In mischief, to have armies at his call. 
To hold dispute with God, in days of Time, 
His pride and malice fed, and bore him up 
Above the worst of ruin. Still, to plan 
And act great deeds, though wicked, brought at least 
The recompense which nature hath attached 1030 



262 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

To all activity, and aim pursued 

With perseverance, good, or bad ; for as, 

By nature's laws, immutable and just. 

Enjoyment stops where indolence begins ; 

And purposeless, to-morrow borrowing sloth, 

Itself, heaps on its slioulders loads of wo, 

Too heavy to be borne ; so industry — 

To meditate, to plan, resolve, perform, 

Which in itself is good — as surely brings 

Reward of good, no matter what be done : 1040 

And such reward the Devil had, as long 

As the decrees eternal gave him space 

To work. But now, all action ceased ; his hope 

Of doing evil perished quite ; his pride. 

His courage, failed him ; and beneath that cloud 

Which hung its central terrors o'er his head, 

With all his angels, he, for sentence, stood. 

And rolled his eyes around, that uttered guilt 

And wo, in horrible perfection joined. 

As he had been the chief and leader, long, 1050 

Of the apostate crew that warred with God 

And holiness ; so now, among the bad. 

Lowest, and most forlorn, and trembhng most, 

With all iniquity deformed and foul. 

With all perdition ruinous and dark. 

He stood, — example awful of the wrath 

Of God ! sad mark, to which ail sin must fall ! — 

And made, on every side, so black a hell, 

That spirits, used to night and misery. 

To distance drew, and looked another way ; 1060 

And from their golden cloud, far off, the saints 

Saw round him darkness grow more dark, and heard 

The impatient thunderbolts, with deadliest crash 

And frequentest, break o'er his head, — the sign 

That Satan, there, the vilest sinner, stood. 

Ah me ! what eyes were there beneath that cloud ! 
Eyes of despair, final and certain ! eyes 
That looked, and looked, and saw, where'er thev looked, 
Interminable darkness ! utter wo ! 



BOOK IX. 263 

'Twas pitiful to see the early flower 1070 

Nipped by the unfeeling frost, just when it rose, 
Lovely in youth, and put its beauties on. 
'Twas pitiful to see the hopes of all 
The year, the yellow harvest, made a heap, 
By rains of judgment ; or by torrents swept. 
With flocks and cattle, down the raging flood; 
Or scattered by the winnowing winds, that bore 
Upon their angry wings, the wrath of heaven. 
Sad was the field, where, yesterday, was heard 
The roar of war ; and sad the sight of maid, 1080 

Of mother, widow, sister, daughter, wife. 
Stooping and weeping over senseless, cold. 
Defaced, and mangled lumps of breathless earth. 
Which had been husbands, fathers, brothers, sons 
And lovers, when that morning's sun arose. 
'Twas sad to see the wonted seat of friend 
Removed by death ; and sad to visit scenes, 
When old, where, in the smiling morn of life, 
Lived many, who both knew and loved us much, 
And they all gone, dead, or dispersed abroad; 1090 
And stranger faces seen among their hills. 
'Twas sad to see the little orpiian babe 
Weeping and sobbing on its mother's grave. 
'Twas pitiful to see an old, forlorn. 
Decrepit, withered wretch, unhoused, unclad, 
Starving to death with poverty and cold. 
'Twas pitiful to see a blooming bride. 
That promise gave of many a happy year. 
Touched by decay, turn pale, and waste, and die. 
'Twas pitiful to hear the murderous thrust 1100 

Of ruffian's blade that sought the life entire. 
'Twas sad to hear the blood come gurgling forth 
From out the throat of the wild suicide. 
Sad was the sight of widowed, childless age 
Weeping. — I saw it once. Wrinkled with time, 
And hoary with the dust of years, an old 
And worthy man came to his humble roof. 
Tottering and slow, and on the threshold stood. 
No foot no voice, was heard within. None came 



264 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

To meet him, where he oft had met a wife, 1 UC 

And 8ons, and daughters, glad at his return ; 

None came to meet him ; for that day had seen 

The old man lay, within the narrow house, 

The last of all his family ; and now 

He stood in solitude, in solitude 

Wide as the world ; for all, that made to him 

Society, had fled beyond its bounds. 

Wherever strayed his aimless eye, there lay 

The wreck of some fond hope, that touched his soul 

With bitter thoughts, and told him all was passed. 1120 

His lonely cot was silent, and he looked 

As if he could not enter. On his staff. 

Bending, he leaned ; and from his weary eye, 

Distressing sight ! a single tear-drop wept. 

None followed, for the fount of tears was dry. 

Alone and last, it fell from wrinkle down 

To wrinkle, till it lost itself, drunk by 

The withered cheek, on which again no smile 

Should come, or drop of tenderness be seen. 

This sight was very pitiful ; but one 1130 

Was sadder still, the saddest seen in Time. 

A man, to-day, the glory of his kind. 

In reason clear, in understanding large, 

In judgment sound, in fancy quick, in hope 

Abundant, and in promise, like a field 

Well cultured, and refreshed with dews from God ; 

To-morrow, chained, and raving mad, and whipped 

By servile hands ; sitting on dismal straw. 

And gnashing with his teeth against the chain. 

The iron chain, that bound him hand and foot ; 1140 

And trying whiles to send his glaring eye 

Beyond the wide circumference of hfs wo; 

Or, humbling more, more miserable still, 

Giving an idiot laugh that served to show 

The blasted scenery of liis horrid face ; 

Calling the straw his sceptre, and the stone, 

On which he, pinioned, sat, his royal throne. 

Poor, poor, poor man ! fallen far below the brute ! 

His reason strove in vain to find her way, 



BOOK IX. 265 

Lost in the stormy desert of his brain ; 1150 

And, being active still, she wrougjit all strange, 
Fantastic, execrable, monstrous things. 

All these were sad, and thousands more, that sleep 
Forgotten beneath the funeral pall of Time ; 
And bards, as well became, bewailed them much, 
With doleful instruments of weeping song. 
But what were these ? What might be worse had in't, 
However small, some grains of happiness ; 
And man ne'er drank a cup of earthly sort, 
That might not held another drop of gall; 1160 

Or, in his deepest sorrow, laid his head 
Upon a pillow, set so close with thorns, 
That might not held another prickle still. 
Accordingly, the saddest human look 
Had hope in't ; faint, indeed, but still 'twas hope. 
But why excuse the misery of earth ? 
Say it was dismal, cold, and dark, and deep, 
Beyond the utterance of strongest words ; 
But say that none remembered it, who saw 
The eye of beings damned for evermore, 1170 

Rolling, and rolhng, rolling still in vain, 
To find some ray, to see beyond the gulf 
Of an unavenued, fierce, fiery, hot. 
Interminable, dark Futurity ! 
And rolling still, and rowing still in vain ! 

Thus stood the reprobate beneath the shade 
Of terror, and beneath the crown of love. 
The good ; and there was silence in the vault 
Of heaven ; and as they stood and listened, they hearn 
Afar to left, among the utter dark, 1180 

Hell rolling o'er his waves of burning fire. 
And thundering through his caverns, empty then 
As if he preparation made, to act 
The final vengeance of the fiery Lamb. 
And there was heard, coming from out the Pit, 
The hollow wailing of Eternal Death, 
Aiid horrid cry of the Undying Worm. 
23 



266 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

The wicked paler turned, and scarce the good 
Their coiour kept ; but were not long dismayed. 
That moment, in the heavens, how wondrous fair 11190 
The angel of Mercy stood, and, on the bad 
Turning his back, over the ransomed threw 
His bow, bedropped with imagery of love, 
And promises on which their fiiith reclined. 
Throughout, deep, breathless silence reigned again, 
And on the circuit of the upper spheres, 
A glorious seraph stood, and cried aloud, 
That every ear of man and devil heard, 
"Him that is filthy, let be filthy still ; 
Him that is holy, let be holy still." 1200 

And, suddenly, another squadron bright, 
Of high arch-angel glory, stooping, brought 
A marvellous bow, — one base upon the Cross, 
The other on the shoulder of the Bear, 
They placed, — from south to north, spanning the 

heavens. 
And on each hand dividing good and bad, — 
Who read, on either side, these burning words, 
Which ran along the arch in living fire. 
And wanted not to be believed in full : 
" As ye have sown, so shaa ye reap this day." 1210 



COURSE OF TIME. 



moat X. 



ANALYSIS OF BOOK X. 

In the beginning tho author invokes the presence and aid of tb« 
Holy Spirit, wiiile he interprets the notes of the Ancient Bard 
describing the Day of Judgment. 

The Bard proceeds. Soon millions infinite of Iwly spirits are 
heard and seen gathering before the Eternal Throne, from 
heaven and from countless worlds around. Silence ensues, 
and from a radiant cloud the voice of God comes forth, announces 
to the assembled millions the object of calling thera to his 
presence, and states that the destiny of Man is concluded, the 
Day of Retribution come, and the generations of Earth collected 
at the place of Judgment. The voice then addresses the Son 
Messiah, assigning to him the covenanted office of Ju<lge. Tho 
Son, taking the Book of God's Remembrance, the Crowns of 
life, and the Sword of justice, and attended by the summoned 
millions, moves forth in glory, becomes visible to the assembled 
sons of men, and ascends the Throne between the good and bad. — 
An angel unfolds the book. In awful silence, the Judge waits, 
while every conscience attests the record. He rises to pro- 
nounce the sentence. No creature breathes ; the spheres and 
stars, with every particle of matter, stand still.— Those trem- 
bling on the left hear a dread decree of burning words ; the Sword 
of justice gleams and plunges in their midst; they sink in utter 
darkness, returning one groan of boundless wo, as Hell closes 
round, and the Undying Worm and Second Death begin their 
endless repast. — The last Fire then consumes the Earth. — Fi- 
nally, the righteous hear a joyous welcome, receive theit 
crowns, and ascend with the Judge, singing with the angel^ 
* Glotf to God and to the Lamb.' 



Tim 



COURSE OF TIME. 



3l>ooit OZ 



God of my fathers ! holy, just, and good ! 
My God ! my Father ! my unfailing Hope ! 
Jehovah ! let the incense of my praise, 
Accepted, burn before thy mercy seat, 
And in thy presence burn, both day and night. 
Maker ! Preserver ! my Redeemer ! God ! 
Whom have I in the heavens but Thee alone ? 
On earth, but Thee, whom should I praise, whom love ? 
For Thou hast brought me hitherto, upheld 
By thy omnipotence ; and from thy grace, 10 

Unbought, unmerited, though not unsought — 
The wells of thy salvation, hast refreshed 
M3' spirit, watering it, tit morn and even ; 
And, by thy Spirit, which thou freely givest 
To whom thou wilt, hast led my venturoua song, 
Over the vale and mountain tract, the light 
And shade of man ; into the burning deep 
Descending now, and now circling the mount, 
Where hig-liest sits Divinity enthroned ; 
Rolling along the tide of fluent thought, 2C 

The tide of moral, natural, divine ; 
Gazing on past and present, and again, 
On rapid pinion borne, outstripping Time, 
23* 



270 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

In long excursion, wandering through the groves 

Unfading, and the endless avenues, 

That shade the landscape of Eternity ; 

And talking there with holy angels met, 

And future men, in glorious vision seen ! 

Nor unrewarded have I watched at night, 

Aiid heard the drowsy sound of neighbouring sleep. 30 

New thought, new imagery, new scenes of bliss 

And glory, unrehearsed by mortal tongue, 

Which, unrevealed, I, trembling, turned and left, 

Bursting at once upon my ravished eye, — 

With joy unspeakable have filled my soul, 

And made my cup run over with delight : 

Though in my face the blasts of adverse winds, 

While boldly circumnavigating man, 

Winds seeming adverse, though perhaps not so, 

Have beat severely; disregarded beat, 40 

When I, behind me, heard the voice of God, 

And his propitious Spirit say, Fear not.' 

God of my fathers ! ever present God ! 
This offering, more, inspire, sustain, accept; 
Highest, if numbers answer to the theme ; 
Best answering, if thy Spirit dictate most. 
Jehovah ! breathe upon my soul ; my heart 
Enlarge ; my faith increase ; increase my hope; 
My thoughts exalt ; my fancy sanctify, 
And all my passions, that I near thy throne 50 

May venture, unreproved ; and sing the day. 
Which none unholy ought to name, the Day 
or Judgment ! greatest day, passed or to come ! 
Day ! which, — deny me what thou wilt, deny 
Me home, or friend, or honourable name, — 
Thy mercy grant, I, thoroughly prepared, 
With comely garment of redeeming love, 
May meet, and have my Judge for Advocate. 

Come, Gracious Influence, Breath of the Lord, 
And touch me trembling, as thou touched the man, 60 
Greatly beloved, when he in vision saw, 



1 



BOOK X. 271 

By Ulai's stream, the Ancient sit ; and talked 

With Gabriel, to his prayer swiftly sent, 

At evening sacrifice. Hold my right hand, 

Almighty? hear me, for I ask through Him, 

Whom thou hast heard, whom thou wilt always hear, 

Thy Son, our interceding Great High Priest ! 

Reveal the future, let the years to come 

Pass by, and open my ear to hear the harp, 

The prophet harp, whose wisdom I repeat, 70 

Interpreting the voice of distant song ; — 

Which thus again resumes the lofty verse, 

Loftiest, if I interpret faithfully 

The holy numbers which my spirit hears. 

Thus came the day, the Harp again began. 
The day that many thought should never come, 
That all the wicked wished should never come, 
That all the righteous had expected long, 
Day greatly feared, and yet too little feared, 
By him who feared it most ; day laughed at much 80 
By the profane, the trembling day of all 
Wlio laughed; day when all shadows passed, all 

dreams ; 
When substance, when reality commenced; 
Last day of lying, final day of all 
Deceit, all knavery, all quackish phrase ; 
Ender of all disputing, of all mirth 
Ungodly, of all loud and boasting speech ; 
Judge of all judgments, Judge of every judge, 
Adjuster of all causes, rights and wrongs; 
Day oft appealed to, and appealed to oft 90 

By those who saw its dawn with saddest heart ; 
Day most magnificent in Fancy's range. 
Whence she returned, confounded, trembling, pale, 
With overmuch of glory faint and blind ; 
Day most important held, prepared for most, 
By every rational, wise, and holy man ; 
Day of eternal gain, for worldly loss ; 
Day of eternal loss, for worldly gain ; 
Great day of terror, vengeance, wo, despair, 



272 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Revealer of all secrets, thoughts, desires; 100 

Rein-trying, heart-investigating day, 

That stood between Eternity and Time, 

Reviewed all past, determined all to come, 

And hound all destinies for rvermore ; 

Believing day of unbelief; great day. 

That set in proper light the affairs of earth, 

And justified the Government Divine ; 

Great day ! — what can we more ? what should w^ 

more ? 
Great triumph day of God's incarnate Son ! 
Great day of glory to the Almighty God ! 110 

Day ! whence the everlasting years begin 
Their date, new era in eternity. 
And oft referred to in the song of heaven ! 

Thus stood the apostate, thus the ransomed stood. 
Those held by justice fast, and these by love, 
Reading the fiery scutcheonry, that blazed 
On high, upon the great celestial bow : 
" As ye have sown, so shall ye reap this day." 
All read, all understood, and all believed. 
Convinced of judgment, righteousness, and sin. 120 

Meantime the universe throughout was still. 
The cope, above and round about, was calm ; 
And motionless, beneath them, lay the Earth, 
Silent and sad, as one that sentence waits, 
For flagrant crime ; — when suddenly was heard, 
Behind the azure vaulting of the sky, 
Above, and far remote fron» reach of sight, 
The sound of trumpets, and the sound of crowds, 
And prancing steeds, and rapid chariot wheels, 130 
That from four quarters rolled, and seemed in haste, 
Assembling at some place of rendezvous ;. 
And so they seemed to roll, with furious speed. 
As if none meant to be behind the first. 
Nor seemed alone : that day, the golden trump, 
Whose voice, from centre to circumference 
Of all created things, is heard distinct, 



BOOK X. 273 

God had bid Michael sound, to summon all 

The hosts of bUss to presence of their King; 

And, all the morning, millions infinite, 

That millions governed each. Dominions, Powers, 140 

Thrones, Principalities, with all their hosts, 

Had been arriving, near the capital, 

And royal city, New Jerusalem, 

From heaven's remotest bounds. Nor yet from heaven 

Alone came they, that day. The worlds around, 

Or neighbouring nearest on the verge of night, 

Emptied, sent forth their whole inhabitants. 

All tribes of being came, of every name, 

From every coast, fiUinor Jehovah's courts. 

From morn till mid-day7 in the squadrons poured 150 

Immense, along the bright celestial roads. 

Swiftly they rode, for love unspeakable. 

To God, and to Messiah, Prince of Peace, 

Drew them, and made obedience haste to be 

Approved. And now, before the Eternal Throne,— 

Brighter, that day, than when the Son prepared 

To overthrow the seraphim rebelled, — 

And circling round the mount of Deity, 

Upon the sea of glass, all round about, 

And down the borders of the stream of life, loU 

And over all the plains of Paradise, 

For many a league of heavenly measurement, — 

Assembled, stood the immortal multitudes. 

Millions, above all number infinite. 

The nations of the blessed. Distinguished each, 

By chief of goodly stature blazing far; 

By various garb, and flag of various hue 

Streaming through heaven from standard liiled hign— 

The arms and imaorery of thousand worlds. 

Distinguished each, but all arrayed complete, 170 

In armour bright, of helmet, shield, and sword j 

And mounted all in chariots of fire. 

A military throng, blent, not confused ; 

As soldiers on some day of great review, 

Burning in splendour of refulgent gold. 

And ornament, on purpose, long devised 



^74 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

For this expected day. Distinguished each, 

But all accoutred as became their Lord, 

And high occasion ; all in holiness, 

The livery of the soldiery of God, 180 

Vested ; and shining all with perfect bliss. 

The wages that his faithful servants win. 

Thus stood they numberless around the mount 
Of presence ; and, adoring, waited, hushed 
In deepest silence, for the voice of God. 
That moment, all the Sacred Hill on high 
Burned, terrible with glory, and, behind 
The uncreated lustre, hid the Lamb, 
Invisible ; when, from the radiant cloud, 
This voice, addressing all the hosts of heaven, 190 
Proceeded, not in words as we converse, 
Each with his fellow, but in language such 
As God doth use, imparting, without phrase 
Successive, what, in speech of creatures, seems 
Long narrative, though long, yet losing much 
In feeble symbols of the thought Divine. 

My servants long approved, my faithful sons. 
Angels of glory. Thrones, Dominions, Powers, 
Well pleased, this morning, I have seen the speed 
Of your obedience, gathering round my tlirone, 200 
In order due, and well-becoming garb; 
Illustrious, as I see, beyond your wont, 
As was my wish, to glorify this day : 
And now, what your assembling means, attend. 

This day concludes the destiny of man. 
The hour, appointed from eternity, 
To judge the earth, in righteousness, is come ; 
To end the war of Sin, that long has fought. 
Permitted, against the sword of Holiness ; 
To give to men and devils, as their works, 21* 

ilecorded in my all-remembering book, 
[ find ; good to the good, and great reward 
Of everlasting honour, joy, and peace, 



BOOK X. 275 

Before my presence here for evermore ; 
A.nd to the evil, as their sins provolte, 
Eternal recompense of shame and wo, 
Cast out beyond the bounds of light and love. 

Long have I stood, as ye, my sons, well know, 
Between the cherubim, and stretched my arms 
Of mercy out, inviting all to come 220 

To me, and live ; my bowels long have moved 
With great compassion ; and my justice passed 
Transgression by, and not imputed sin. 
Long here, upon my everlasting throne, 
I have beheld my love and mercy scorned ; 
Have seen my laws despised, my name blasphemed, 
My providence accused, my gracious plans 
Opposed ; and long, too long, have I beheld 
The wicked triumph, and my saints reproached 
Maliciously, while on my aitars lie, 230 

Unanswered still, their prayers and their tears, 
That seek my coming, wearied with delay ; 
And long, Disorder in my moral reign 
Has walked rebelliously, disturbed the peace 
Of my eternal government, and wrought 
Confusion, spreading far and wide, among 
My works inferior, which groan to be 
Released. Nor long shall groan. The hour of grace, 
The final hour of grace, is fully passed ; 
The time accepted for repentance, faith 240 

And pardon, is irrevocably passed j 
And Justice, unaccompanied, as wont, 
With Mercy, now goes forth, to give to all 
According to their deeds. Justice alone, — 
For why should Mercy any more be joined.'' 
What hath not mercy, mixed with judgment, done, 
That mercy, mixed with judgment and reproof. 
Could do ? Did I not revelation make, 
Plainly and clearly, of my will entire ? 
Before them set my holy law, and gave 250 

Them knowledge, wisdom, prowess to obey, 
And win, by self-wrought works, eternal life ? 



276 . THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Rebelled, did I not send them terms of peace, 

Which, not my justice, but my mercy asked '*— 

Terms, costly to my weil-beloved Son ; 

To them, gratuitous, exacting faith 

Alone for pardon, works evincing faith ? 

Have I not early risen, and sent my seers, 

Prophets, apostles, teachers, ministers. 

With signs and wonders, working in my name ? 26C 

Have I not still, from age to age, raised up, 

As I saw needful, great, religious men, 

Gifted by me with large capacity. 

And by my arm omnipotent upheld, 

To pour the numbers of my mercy forth. 

And roll my judgments on the ear of man ? 

And lastly, when the promised hour was come,— 

What more could most abundant mercy do ? — 

Did I not send Immanuel forth, my Son, 

Only begotten, to purchase, by his blood, 270 

As many as believed upon his name ? 

Did he not die to give repentance, such 

As I accept, and pardon of all sins ? 

Has he not taught, beseeched, and shed abroad 

The Spirit unconfined, and given at times 

Example fierce of wrath and judgment, poured 

Vindictively on nations guilty long ? 

What means of reformation, that my Son 

Has left behind, untried ? what plainer words, 

What arguments more strong, as yet remain ? 280 

Did he not tell them, with his lips of truth. 

The righteous should be saved, the wicked damned? 

And has he not, awake both day and night. 

Here interceded with prevailing voice. 

At my right hand, pleading his precious blood. 

Which magnified my holy law, and bought. 

For all who wished, perpetual righteousness ? 

And have not you, my faithful servants, all 

Been frequent forth, obedient to my will, 

With messages of mercy and of love, 290 

Administering my gifts to sinful man ? 

And have not all my mercy, all my love. 



BOOK X. 277 

Been sealed and stamped with signature of heaven ? 

By proof of wonders, miracles, and signs 

Attested, and attested more by truth 

Divine, inherent in the tidings sent ? 

This day declares the consequence of all. 

Some have believed, are sanctified, and saved, 

Prepared for dwelling in this holy place, 

In these their mansions, built before my face j 300 

And now, beneath a crown of golden light, 

Beyond our wall, at place of judgment, they, 

Expecting, wait the promised, due reward. 

The others stand with Satan bound in chains, 

The others, who refused to be redeemed : 

They stand, unsanctified, unpardoned, sad. 

Waiting the sentence that shall fix their wo. 

The others, who refused to be redeemed ; 

For all had grace sufficient to believe, 

All who my gospel heard ; and none who heard 310 

It not, shall by its law, this day, be tried. 

Necessity of sinning, my decrees 

Imposed on none ; but rather, all inclined 

To holiness ; and grace was bountiful, 

Abundant, overflowing with my word ; 

My word of life and peace, which to all men, 

Who shall or stand or fall, by law revealed, 

Was offered freely, as 'twas freely sent. 

Without all money, and without all price. 

Thus they have all, by willing act, despised 320 

Me, and my Son, and sanctifying Spirit. 

But now, no longer shall they mock or scorn. 

The day of grace and mercy is complete. 

And Godhead from their misery absolved. 

So saying. He, the Father infinite, 
Turning, addressed Messiah, where he sat, 
Exalted gloriously, at his right hand. 
This day belongs to justice and to thee, 
Eternal Son, thy right for service done. 
Abundantly fulfilling all my will j 330 

By promise thine, from all eternity, 
24 



278 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Made in the ancient Covenant of Grace ; 

And thine, as most befitting, since in thee 

Divine and human meet, impartial Judge, 

Consulting thus the interest of both. 

Go then, my Son, divine similitude, 

Image express of Deity unseen, 

The book of my remembrance take ; and take 

The golden crowns of life, due to the saints ; 

And take the seven last thunders ruinous; 340 

Thy armour take ; gird on thy sword, thy sword 

Of justice ultimate, reserved, till now. 

Unsheathed, in the eternal armoury ; 

And mount tlie living chariot of God. 

Thou goest not now, as once, to Calvary, 

To be insulted, buffeted, and slain ; 

Thou goest not now, with battle and the voice 

Of war, as once against the rebel hosts. 

Thou goest a Judge, and findst the guilty bound , 

Thou goest to prove, condemn, acquit, reward. 350 

Not unaccompanied ; all these, my saints, 

Go with thee, glorious retinue, to sing 

Thy triumph, and participate thy joy ; 

And I, the Omnipresent, with thee go; 

And with thee all the glory of my throne. 

Thus said the Father ; and the Son beloved, 
Omnipotent, Omniscient, Fellow God, 
Arose, resplendent with Divinity; 
And He the book of God's remembrance took ; 
And took the seven last thunders ruinous ; 360 

And took the crowns of life, due to the saints; 
His armour took ; girt on his sword, his sword 
Of justice ultimate, reserved, till now. 
Unsheathed, in the eternal armoury; 
And up the living chariot of God 
Ascended, signifying all complete. 

And now the Trump, of wondrous melody, 
By man or angel never heard before. 
Sounded with thunder, and the march began, 



BOOK X. 279 

Not swift, as cavalcade, on battle bent, 370 

But, as became procession of a judge, 

Solemn, magnificent, majestic, slow j 

Moving sublime with glory infinite, 

And numbers infinite, and awful song. 

They passed the gate of heaven, which, many a league, 

Opened either way, to let the glory forth 

Of this great march. And now, the sons of men 

Beheld their coming, which, before, they heard ; 

Beheld the glorious countenance of God ! 

All light was swallowed up, all objects seen 380 

Faded ; and the Incarnate, visible 

Alone, held every eye upon him fixed; 

The wicked saw his majesty severe ; 

And those who pierced Him saw his face with clouds 

Of glory circled round, essential bright ! 

And to the rocks and mountains called in vain, 

To hide them from the fierceness of his wrath : 

Almighty power their flight restrained, and held 

Them bound immovable before the bar. 

The righteous, undismayed and bold, — ^best proof,390 
This day, of fortitude sincere, — sustained 
By inward faith, with acclamations loud, 
Received the coming of the Son of Man ; 
And, drawn by love, inclined to his approach, 
Moving to meet the brightness of his face. 

Meantime, 'tween good and bad, the Judge his 
wheels 
Stayed, and, ascending, sat upon the great 
White Throne, that morning founded there by power 
Omnipotent, and built on righteousness 
And trutlx. Behind, before, on every side, 400 

In native and reflected blaze of bright, 
Celestial equipage, the myriads stood, 
That with his marching came ; rank above rank. 
Rank above rank, with shield and flaming sword. 

'Twas silence all ! and quick, on right and left, 
A mighty angel spread the book of God's 



380 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Remembrance ; and, with conscience now sincere 

All men compared the record, written there 

By finger of Omniscience ; and received 

Their sentence, in themselves, of joy or wo; 410 

Condemned or justified, while yet the Judge 

Waited, as if to let them prove themselves. 

The righteous, in the book of life displayed, 

Rejoicing, read their names; rejoicing, read 

Their faith for righteousness received, and deeds 

Of holiness, as proof of faith complete. 

The wicked, in the book of endless death, 

Spread out to left, bewailing, read their names; 

And read beneath them. Unbelief, and fruit 

Of unbelief, vile, unrepented deeds, 420 

Now unrepentable for evermore ; 

And gave approval of the wo affixed. 

This done, the Omnipotent, Omniscient Judge, 
Rose infinite, the sentence to pronounce, 
The sentence of eternal wo or bliss ! 
All glory heretofore seen or conceived, 
All majesty, annihilated, dropped. 
That moment, from remembrance, and was lost; 
And silence, deepest hitherto esteemed, 
Seemed noisy to the stillness of this hour. 430 

Comparisons I seek not, nor should find. 
If sought. That silence, which all being held, 
When God's Almightj Son, from oflfthe walls 
Of heaven the rebel angels threw, accursed, 
So still, that all creation heard their fall 
Distinctly, in the lake of burning fire, — 
Was now forgotten, a'nd every silence else. 
All being rational, created then, 
Around the judgment seat, intensely listened. 
No creature breathed. Man, angel, devil, stood 440 
And listened ; ths spheres stood still, and every star 
Stood still, and listened ; and every particle, 
Remotest in the womb of matter, stood. 
Bending to hear, devotional and still. 
And thus upon tne wicked, first, the Judge 



BOOK X 281 

Pronounced the sentence, written before of old . 
** Depart from me, ye cursed, into the fire, 
Prepared eternal in the Gulf of Hell, 
Where ye shall weep and wail for evermore, 
Reaping the harvest which your sins have sown." 450 

So saying, God grew dark with utter wrath ; 
And, drawing now the sword, undrawn before, 
Which through the range of infinite, all around, 
A gleam of fiery indignation threw, 
He lifted up his hand omnipotent. 
And down among the damned the burning edge 
Plunged ; and from forth his arrowy quiver sent, 
Emptied, the seven last thunders ruinous, 
Which, entering, withered all their souls with fire. 
Then first was vengeance, first was ruin seen ! 460 

Red, unrestrained, vindictive, final, fierce ! 
They, howling, fled to west among the dark ; 
But fled not these the terrors of the Lord. 
Pursued, and driven beyond the Gulf, which frowns 
Impassable, between the good and bad. 
And downward far remote to left, oppressed 
And scorched with the avenging fires, begun 
Burning within them, — they upon the verge 
Of Erebus, a moment, pausing stood, 
And saw, Ijelow, the unfathomable lake, 470 

Tossing with tides of dark, tempestuous Avrath ; 
And would have looked behind ; but greater wrath, 
Behind, forbade, which now no respite gave 
To final misery. God, in the grasp 
Of his Almighty strength, took them upraised, 
And threw them down, into the yawning pit 
Of bottomless perdition, ruined, damned, 
Fast bound in chains of darkness evermore ; 
And Second Death, and the Undying Worm, 
Opening their horrid jaws, with hideous yell, 480 

Falling, received their everlasting prey. 
A groan returned, as down they sunk, and sunk, 
And ever sunk, among the utter dark ! 
A groan returned ! the righteous heard the groan, 
24* 



2S2 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

The groan of all the reprobate, when first 

They felt damnation sure ! and heard Hell close ! 

And heard Jehovah, and his love retire ! 

A £:roan returned ! the righteous heard the groan, 

As if all misery, all sorrow, grief, 

All pain, all anguish, all despair, which all 490 

Have suffered, or shall feel, from first to last 

Eternity, had gathered to one pang. 

And issued in one groan of boundless wo ! 

And now the wall of hell, the outer wall, 
First gatelcss then, closed round them ; that which thou 
Hast seen, of fiery adamant, emblazed 
With hideous imagery, above all hope. 
Above all flight ori'ancy, burning high. 
And guarded evermore, by Justice, turned 
To Wrath, that hears, unmoved, the endless groan 500 
Of those wasting within; and sees, unmoved, 
The endless tear of vain repentance fall. 

Nor ask if these shall ever be redeemed. 
They never shall ! Not God, but their own sin, 
Condemns them. What could be done, as thou hast 

heard, 
Has been already done ; all has been tried. 
That wisdom infinite, and boundless grace, 
Working together, could devise ; and all 
Has failed. Why now succeed .'' Though God should 

stoop. 
Inviting still, and send his Only Son 510 

To offer grace in hell, the pride, that first 
Refused, would still refuse ; the unbelief. 
Still unbelieving, would deride and mock ; 
Nay more, refuse, deride, and mock ; for sin 
Increasing still, and growing, day and night. 
Into the essence of the soul, become 
All sin, makes what in time seemed probable, — 
Seemed probable, since God invited them, — 
For ever now impossible. Thus they, 
According to the eternal laws which bind 520 



BOOK X. 283 

All creatures, bind the Uncreated One, 
Though we name not the sentence of the Judge,— 
Must daily grow in sin and punishment, 
Made by themselves their necessary lot, 
Unchangeable to all eternity. 

What lot ! what choice ! I sing not, cannot sing. 
Here, highest seraphs tremble on the lyre. 
And make a sudden pause ! — but thou hast seen. 
And here, the bard, a moment, held his hand, 
As one who saw more of that horrid wo 530 

Than words could utter ; and again resumed. 

Nor yet had vengeance done. The guilty Earth, 
Inanimate, debased, and stained by sin, 
Seat of rebellion, of corruption, long, 
And tainted with mortality throughout, — 
God sentenced next ; and sent the final fires 
Of ruin forth, to burn and to destroy. 
The saints its burning saw, and thou mayst see. 
Look yonder, round the lofty golden walls 
And galleries of New Jerusalem, ' 540 

Among the imagery of wonders passed ; 
Look near the southern gate ; look, and behold — 
On spacious canvass, touched with living hues — 
The Conflagration of the ancient earth, 
The handiwork of high archangel, drawn 
From memory of what he saw, that day. 
See ! how the mountains, how the valleys burn. 
The Andes burn, the Alps, the Apennines, 
Taurus and Atlas ; all the islands burn ; 
The Ocean burns, and rolls his waves of flame. 550 
See how the lightnings, barbed, red with wrath, 
Sent from the quiver of Omtnpotence, 
Cross and recross the fiery gloom, and burn 
Into the centre ! — burn without, within. 
And help the native fires, which God awoke, 
And kindled with the fury of his wrath. 
As inly troubled, now she seems to shake ; 
The flames, dividing, now, a moment, fall; 



284 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

And now, in one conglomerated mass, 

Rising, they glow on high, prodigious blaze ! 560 

Then fall and sink again, as if, within. 

The fuel, burned to ashes, was consumed. 

So burned the Earth upon that dreadful day, 

Yet not to full annihilation burned. 

The essential particles of dust remained. 

Purged, by the final, sanctifying fires. 

From all corruption ; from all stain of sin, 

Done there by man or devil, purified. 

The essential particles remained, of which 

God built the world again, renewed, improved, 570 

With fertile vale, and wood of fertile bough; 

And streams of milk and honey, llowing song j 

And mountains cinctured with perpetual green; 

In clime and season fruitful, as at first. 

When Adam woke, unfallen, in Paradise. 

And God, from out the fount of native light, 

A handful took of beams, and clad the sun 

Again in glory ; and sent forth the moon 

To borrow thence her wonted rays, and lead 

Her stars, the virgin daughters of the sky. 580 

And God revived the winds, revived the tides ; 

And, touching her from lus Aiimghty hand, 

With force centrifugal, she onward ran, 

Coursing her wonted path, to stop no more. 

Delightful scene of new inhabitants ! 

As thou, this morn, in passing hither, sawst. 

Thus done, the glorious Judge, turning to right, 
With countenance of love unspeakable. 
Beheld the righteous, and approved them thus : 
" Ye blessed of my Father, come, ye just, 590 

Enter the joy eternal of your Lord ; 
Receive your crowns, ascend, and sit with me, 
At God's right hand, in glory evermore !" 

Thus said the Omnipotent, Incarnate God ; 
And waited not the homage of the crowns, 
Already thrown before him ; nor the loud 



BOOK X. 285 

Amen of universal, holy praise ; 

But turned the living chariot of fire, 

And swifter now, — as joyful to declare 

This day's proceedings in his Father's court, 600 

And to present the number of his sons 

Before the Throne, — ascended up to heaven, 

And all his saints, and all his angel bands. 

As, glorious, they on high ascended, sung 

Glory to God and to the Lamb ! — they sung 

Messiah, fairer than the sons of men. 

And altogether lovely. Grace is poured 

Into thy lips, above all measure poured ; 

And therefore God hath blessed thee evermore. 

Gird, gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou 610 

Most Mighty ! with thy glory ride ; with all 

Thy majesty, ride prosperously, because 

Of meekness, truth, and righteousness. Thy throne, 

O God, for ever and for ever stands ; 

The sceptre of thy kingdom still is right ; 

Therefore hath God, thy God, anointed thee 

With oil of gladness and perfumes of myrrh, 

Out of the ivory palaces, above 

Thy fellows, crowned the Prince of endless peace ! 

[620 
Thus sung they God, their Saviour : and themselves 
Prepared complete to enter now, with Christ, 
Their living Head, into the Holy Place. 
Behold ! the daughter of the King, the bride. 
All glorious within, the bride adorned, 
Comely in broidery of gold ! behold. 
She comes, apparelled royally, in robes 
Of perfect righteousness, fair as the sun, 
With all her virgins, her companions fair, — 
Into the Palace of the King she comes. 
She comes to dwell for evermore ! Awake, 630 

Eternal harps ! awake, awake, and sing ! — 
The Lord, the Lord, our God Almighty, reigns ! 

Thus the Messiah, with the hosts of bliss, 
Entered the gates of heaven, unquestioned now. 



286 THE COURSE OF TIME. 

Which closed behind them, to go out no more ; 
And stood, accepted, in his Father's sight ; 
Before the glorious, everlasting Throne, 
Presenting all his saints ; not one was lost, 
Of all that he in Covenant received ; 
And, having given the kingdom up, he sat, 640 

Where now he sits and reigns, on the right hand 
Of glory ; and our God is all in all ! 

Thus have I sung beyond thy first request, 
Rolling my numbers o'er the track of man. 
The world at dawn, at mid-day, and decline ; 
Time gone, the righteous saved, the wicked damned 
And God's eternal government approved. 



THE END. 



